For some Massachusetts drivers, a temporary lane shift has turned a morning route into a daily test of patience.
At Hopkinton's Interstate 495-Massachusetts Turnpike interchange, WCVB reported that a temporary lane shift is being used to help keep a major rebuild on schedule, but one commuter said it is also creating backups that can add at least 30 minutes to the workday.
Here's what to know
David, a commuter from Milford, shared a photo of traffic stacked up on northbound I-495. He said those delays have become a regular part of the morning for drivers heading toward Boston and areas north of the Mass Pike.
State transportation officials said that the northbound I-495 lane shift is expected to stay in place through November. They also said traffic appears to have gotten heavier, while describing the backups as generally similar to delays seen earlier in the project.
Roughly 75,000 vehicles travel through the interchange each day, while the Mass Pike and I-495 together carry more than 100,000 daily.
It is also a significant freight route, with about half of truck traffic headed into eastern Massachusetts passing through the area.
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More background
Few roadway junctions in the region handle as much traffic as the Hopkinton interchange.
The current lane shift is part of a broader infrastructure project that is set to continue until summer 2027.
What's being done?
The temporary traffic change is part of the larger reconstruction effort, which aims to upgrade an interchange that carries heavy commuter and freight volumes.
"What can be done to get the traffic moving onto the Pike faster to alleviate delays during the project?" David asked.
Where can I learn more?
Backups are frustrating drivers far beyond this stretch of I-495. These stories look at worsening traffic under new road rules, persistent freeway congestion, and road damage accelerated by heavy travel.
• In New York City, drivers warned traffic is going to be worse after Clean Pass changed.
• In Texas, Katy Freeway drivers still face backups even with all those lanes.
• Transportation experts argue adding lanes can backfire as congestion returns to expanded highways.
• Across the country, traffic patterns and weather are worsening potholes and pavement cracks.
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