Status
Project construction continues on the I-495/I-90 Improvements project. The following activities are underway:
I-495 Northbound Lane Closure
The right lane closure on I-495 northbound, which began on Saturday, August 15 will remain in place for approximately three weeks. This traffic management change is required in preparation for upcoming construction staging for the 495/90 Interchange project. The right lane will remain open until the ramp to I-90 westbound and eastbound (Exit 58). Traffic traveling on I-495 north of the I-495/I-90 interchange should utilize the two left lanes.
I-495 Northbound Traffic Shift
The traffic on I-495 northbound will now be shifted to its new temporary alignment the week of September 7. This work was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 1. As part of this work, the current lane closure on I-495 northbound will be removed. While I-495 northbound is in its temporary alignment, traffic accessing I-90 (Exit 58) will exit approximately ¼ mile south. At least one travel lane will remain open at all times. The new alignment is expected to remain in place until November.
Overnight Ramp Closures at I-495/I-90 Interchange
The I-90 eastbound ramp to I-495 northbound (Exit 106) will be closed nightly from Monday, September 7 through Wednesday, September 9, from 11:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning. During these overnight closures, the following detour will be in place:
- Take I-495 southbound to Exit 54A (West Main Street, Hopkinton) to reverse direction back to I-495 northbound.
Additionally, the I-495 northbound ramp to I-90 East and West (Exit 58) will be closed nightly from Monday, September 7 through Wednesday, September 9, from 11:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning. During these overnight closures, the following detour will be in place:
- Take I-495 northbound to Exit 59B (Route 9 westbound) to reverse direction onto I-495 southbound to access I-90 East and West.
I-495 Traffic Crossover
- The project team has completed the 495 over Railroad superstructure and is completing barrier and pavement installation in support of the upcoming Southbound traffic shift.
- The project team opened Exit 58 (from I-495 South to I-90 East and West) on July 10, 2026. Additionally, I-495 Northbound traffic will be shifted into the crossover through Fall 2026.
- Traffic on I-495 southbound was shifted to its final alignment on August 4, 2026. I-495 southbound is fully open with three lanes of traffic.
Ramp from I-90 Westbound to I-495 Southbound
The new ramp connection from I-90 Westbound to I-495 Southbound is now open. Motorists on I-90 westbound will now have two exits to access I-495. The first exit will be for I-495 Southbound (Exit 106A), while the second exit will be for I-495 Northbound (Exit 106B). You can view the new alignment on this map.
I-90 Eastbound Lane Shift
On Sunday, August 30, traffic on I-90 Eastbound was shifted to its new temporary alignment. The new alignment is expected to remain in place until mid-2027 when the third phase of the Railroad Bridge structure is completed.
Overnight Lane Closures on I-90 and I-495
- Lane closures are ongoing during overnight hours. At least one lane in each direction on both I-495 and I-90 will remain open at all times.
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 concluded in Fall 2025.
- Two-way traffic on Fruit Street reopened on December 11, 2025. Some bridge and sidewalk work is ongoing and is projected to be completed by Fall 2026.
Ramp from I-90 Westbound to I-495 Northbound
- Construction of the ramp deck, barrier, lighting, fencing and retaining walls is ongoing.
- The new ramp from I-90 Westbound to I-495 Northbound is anticipated to open in Summer 2026.
I-90 Construction
- Phase 1 of the 90 over Railroad Bridge structure is complete and the Design Build Team has progressed to the Phase 2 along the westbound shoulder. Westbound traffic on I-90 shifted to the new Railroad Bridge structure on August 18, 2026. This traffic shift is expected to remain in place until mid-2027.
- Work over Whitehall Brook is ongoing. Phase 1 is complete. Traffic on I-90 westbound was shifted as part of Phase 2 in Fall 2025. Phase 2 is projected to be completed by Summer 2026. Phase 3, when traffic will shift to the median, will begin after the conclusion of Phase 2.
- The widening of the eastbound shoulder from Whitehall to the toll plaza is complete.
Old Toll Plaza/Ramp from I-90 East to I-495 North
- Installation of the culvert and I-90 eastbound to I-495 northbound substructure is ongoing and will continue through the end of the project.
Flanders Road Bridge
- Phase 1 of Flanders Road bridge construction was completed and opened in Fall 2024.
- Phase 2 substructure work is complete. The superstructure work is ongoing and is projected to be completed by Summer 2026.
Ramp from I-495 South to I-90 East and West (Exit 58)
- On August 4, 2026, the connection to the I-90 eastbound and westbound on-ramp (Exit 58) from I-495 southbound was moved approximately 1,000 feet south to its permanent location. You can view the new alignment on this map.
- Work has commenced on the permanent retaining wall along the northbound shoulder.
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