The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MBTA and Massport are advising Labor Day weekend travelers to make informed decisions and plan ahead, as Labor Day weekend is traditionally a popular time to travel, and everyone should consider taking trips outside of peak travel times and consider using public transportation, if possible, to reach destinations.
“As we approach Labor Day weekend, we encourage all travelers to utilize MassDOT’s travel resources and expect increased travel times on the roadways,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We expect an increase in vehicle traffic across the state, so drivers should plan ahead and make safe choices on the roadways this holiday weekend.”
While Labor Day weekend traditionally sees more vehicles than usual on the roadways, MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel, including:
- Closure of non-urgent construction work planned outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective 5:00 a.m., Friday, August 30. Planned road work will then resume at the start of regular business hours on Tuesday, September 3.
- High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane deployment on I-93 between Boston and Quincy earlier than usual in the afternoon – opening at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, and opening at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30. The HOV lane will have normal morning hours on Thursday and Friday and will be closed in the morning and afternoon on Monday, September 2.
- The additional “bypass lane” on Route 1A southbound at the Sumner Tunnel will not be deployed on Monday, September 2 and will resume normal deployment on Tuesday, September 3.
- The Sumner Tunnel will be open for the duration of the holiday weekend. Weekend closures will resume later in September.
The public is reminded that due to Monday, September 2, a state holiday, Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed, including Registry of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Centers. In the meantime, AAA members may visit any AAA location by appointment for many in-person Registry transactions and over 40 Registry transactions can be completed online:www.mass.gov/RMV.
MassDOT is reminding travelers to drive hands-free and obey speed limits. As of August 29, MassDOT’s crash data portal, IMPACT, recorded a total of 77,698 crashes in Massachusetts for 2024. IMPACT reports 205 crash deaths for 2024, and 994 crashes involved pedestrians. Information is available online: https://apps.impact.dot.state.ma.us/cdp/home
Due to the holiday weekend, the MBTA has released the following information regarding travel on Monday, September 2. More information is available atwww.mbta.com/vacations:
- All subway lines, bus lines and RIDE will operate on Sunday schedule.
- The commuter train will operate on a weekend schedule.
- The Hingham – Hull – Logan Airport – Long Wharf (F2H) ferry service will operate on a Sunday schedule. There will be no direct Hingham – Rowes Wharf (F1) ferry service.
- The Charlestown Ferry and East Boston Ferry will operate on a weekend schedule.
- The Lynn Ferry will operate on a weekend schedule.
- There will be no Winthrop/Quincy ferry service.
- The CharlieCard store will be closed.
Massport expects an increase in passengers at Boston Logan International Airport over the holiday weekend and suggests travelers allow extra time to travel to Logan and clear security. Additional staff will be available to assist passengers and families who may need assistance. Massport continues to recommend travelers arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. As always, Massport recommends that passengers take public transportation to Logan Airport.
Massport encourages passengers to download the FlyLogan app to access airport information, flight status, purchase Logan Express tickets and order concessions for pickup or delivery at Logan, among other services. For more information about Logan Airport, please visitwww.massport.com/logan-airport/.
Depending on traffic and road conditions, drivers can use the following options to make decisions:
- Download the Mass511 mobile app or visitwww.mass511.comto view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions and project information before hitting the road. Users can subscribe to receive SMS and email alerts on traffic conditions.
- Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
- Follow@MassDOTon X, (formerly known as Twitter), to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
MassDOT, the MBTA, and Massport wish all members of the public a safe holiday weekend.
