Traffic and construction updates - I-495/I-90 Interchange improvements

Improving safety and addressing traffic conditions at the interchange of I-495 and I-90

Status

Project construction continues on the I-495/I-90 Improvements project. The following activities are underway:

Overnight Ramp Closures at I-90/I-495 Interchange

• From 11:00 p.m. on Monday, June 23, to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24:
  • The ramp from I-495 to I-90 westbound will be closed. Traffic will be directed to follow detour signs in place and use I-90 eastbound to exit 111 (Route 9 Framingham) to reverse direction back to I-90 westbound.
  • The ramp from I-90 eastbound to I-495 northbound will be closed.  Traffic will be directed to follow the detour signs and use I-495 southbound to exit 54A (West Main Street Hopkinton), to reverse direction back to I-495 northbound.   
• From 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25:
  • The ramp from I-90 eastbound to I-495 northbound will be closed.  Traffic will be directed to follow the detour signs and use I-495 southbound to exit 54A (West Main Street Hopkinton), to reverse direction back to I-495 northbound.   
• From 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, to 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26:
  • The ramps from I-90 eastbound and westbound to I-495 southbound will be closed.  Traffic will be directed to follow the detour signs and use I-495 northbound to exit 59B (Route 9) to reverse direction back to I-495 southbound.
• From 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, to 5:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27:
  • The ramps from I-90 eastbound and westbound to I-495 southbound will be closed.  Traffic will be directed to follow the detour signs and use I-495 northbound to exit 59B (Route 9) to reverse direction back to I-495 southbound.

Fruit Street Bridge:

• Phase 1 of the construction of the Fruit Street Bridge was completed in 2024. Phase 2 of the Fruit Street Bridge construction process began in Summer 2024 and will continue until Summer 2025.

Ramp from I-90 Westbound to I-495 Northbound:

• The project team has installed a temporary trestle structure at the ramp from I-90 westbound to I-495 northbound and foundation work at the ramp is complete. Substructure work is ongoing and steel erection work will begin in Spring or Summer 2025.

I-90 Construction:

• The project team is continuing to work on the I-90 bridge over MBTA/CSX/Amtrak rail tracks and is continuing to widen the eastbound shoulder.
• Work on the I-90 westbound off ramp to I-495 South continues.
• Work over Whitehall Brook is ongoing. Substructure and foundation work is complete, while steel erection is ongoing, and superstructure work will follow.
• The widening of the eastbound shoulder from Whitehall to the toll plaza is ongoing.

Old Toll Plaza:

• The project team has opened the new I-90 eastbound to I-495 ramp through the old toll plaza. Installation of the culvert and I-90 eastbound to I-495 northbound substructure is ongoing.

Ramp from I-495 South to I-90 East:

• The retaining walls supporting the I-495 southbound to I-90 eastbound ramp have been constructed. Final road construction continues for traffic to be relocated to the new ramp alignment in the Summer.

I-495 Traffic Crossover

• The project team is working on the substructure for I-495 over the railroad tracks, with steel erection coming next. Currently, I-495 southbound traffic is shifted to cross over the median and allow for work on I-495 southbound. Once work on I-495 southbound is complete, the crossover will switch, with all traffic moving to I-495 southbound to allow for work on I-495 northbound.

Flanders Road Bridge

• Phase 1 of Flanders Road bridge construction was completed and opened in Fall 2024. Phase 2 substructure work is currently ongoing.

Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Traffic and staging considerations

The project will involve complete replacement of the interchange. To avoid traffic impacts, the project will:

• Maintain 3 lanes on mainlines, except for short-term closures during approved off-peak hours
• Maintain all ramp connections between I-90 and I-495, including along temporary alignments
• Maintain proper signage and markings
• Provide temporary roadway lighting along ramps for safe nighttime travel
• Provision of safe construction access/egress
• Maintain resident and local business access/egress