MassDOT is warning that Monday’s commute, as mild because it was, more than likely just isn’t indicative of how the remainder of the month with restricted MBTA service will form up.
“There are going to be times when the shutdown does impact driving, and not just driving — also if you’re on a bike or you are a pedestrian — your routes are going to be changed and they absolutely will be impacted at various times,” Jonathan Gulliver, freeway administrator for MassDOT, advised the Herald.
According to Gulliver, the primary work day after the Orange Line shut for 30 days and a bit of the Green Line for 28 days went as easily as could possibly be hoped for, with minimal points surrounding the sudden enlargement of bus and shuttle service shifting commuters by way of town of Boston.
However, simply because issues went effectively on a Monday doesn’t imply they it’s going to proceed to go easily by way of the weeks forward, Gulliver mentioned.
“We saw a very light commute this morning, and it was frankly much better than expected and we were pretty happy with it,” he mentioned. “That should not be taken as an overall indication of how it’s going to be from here on out.”
Gulliver mentioned Monday’s commute signifies the various warnings the transportation system put out earlier than the shutdowns are working, and that persons are heeding the recommendation to remain residence if attainable.
“People really took our messaging and really took it to heart,” he mentioned. “For sure there was lighter than usual traffic on the highways. That’s a good thing for the people who have to be there.”
Still, he mentioned, the freeway system shall be stretched and issues which usually stress it — the approaching school move-in days are an ideal instance — shall be made worse with {a partially} shuttered rail system.
“That’s a challenge with us every year, we try to put up signage, we talk to the universities about messaging with their incoming students as far as the best routes to take,” he mentioned. “I expect it to be challenging as it is every year. Despite our best efforts there will absolutely be some bridge strikes on Storrow Drive.”
Saturday was the primary full day of the Orange Line closure and the primary check for the coach-style shuttle buses which are changing prepare service all through a lot of that line. Buses additionally changed a portion of the Green Line on Monday, from Union Square to Government Center stations, that may even shut for 28 days.
The MBTA mentioned work accomplished through the Orange Line shutdown — undertaken as a part of its efforts to adjust to federal directives issued following repeated security incidents all through the system — will embody alternative of three,500 ft of observe and the associated elimination of six velocity restrictions, sign upgrades and a crossover alternative.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”