Press Release  Ahead of 250th Celebrations & Marathon: Travelers Should Plan Ahead

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) encourages individuals traveling for the upcoming Patriots' Day weekend to plan ahead, utilize readily available “real time” tools and resources, and use public transportation when possible. Travelers should anticipate increased travel times, along with lane and ramp closures due to Massachusetts 250^th Anniversary celebrations throughout Patriots' Day Weekend, as well as the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21. Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices including Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) Service Center locations will be closed for the holiday on Monday, April 21.  In addition, there will be no deployment of the I-93 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane between Quincy and Boston on Monday, April 21. 

“Whether you’re experiencing the historic reenactments in Lexington and Concord or cheering on Marathon runners in Boston, MassDOT wishes you a safe and enjoyable Patriots’ Day weekend,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “If you’re traveling, please plan ahead, be aware of scheduled closures and detours, and expect heavier traffic. Most importantly, we urge everyone to travel responsibly and make smart, safe choices.” 

“MassDOT advises travelers attending the 250th Anniversary Celebrations, the Boston Marathon, or other weekend activities to plan for extra travel time and check destination websites for specific venue information,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Expect event-related road closures and detours throughout the holiday weekend. Please obey traffic laws and drive safely.” 

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 southbound between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours and be open for travel on Friday, April 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Additionally, the HOV lane and the swing lane at the Sumner Tunnel will not be deployed on Monday, April 21. Deployment operations for the HOV lane and the swing lane will resume on Tuesday, April 22.   

To accommodate Massachusetts 250 celebrations and the Boston Marathon, the following closures will be in place: 

Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19:

• Route 2A will be closed from Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, through Lincoln, and extending to Route 2 in Concord from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
• In Concord, the following closures will be in place:
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Cambridge Turnpike at exit 125 from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.  
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Walden Street northbound from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.  
  • There will be no access from Route 2 westbound to Fairhaven Road from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Sudbury Road northbound from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.  
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Old Road to Nine Acre Corner (ORNAC) northbound from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Route 62 eastbound from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.  
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Elm Street eastbound from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
  • Route 2 medians will be closed, preventing crossing traffic and main line left turns at Walden Street, Sudbury Road, ORNAC, Route 62, and Elm Street from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Affected traffic will be diverted to exit 125 to the east and the Concord Rotary to the west to reverse direction as needed. Provisions will be made at the Route 2/ORNAC intersection to maintain emergency access to Emerson Hospital.
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Route 2A at exit 125 from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
• In Lexington, I‑95 northbound/southbound exits 46B (Route 2A west) will be closed from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
• In Lincoln, the following closures will be in place:
  • Hanscom Drive will be closed between Route 2A and Old Bedford Road from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
  • There will be no access from Route 2 to Bedford Road northbound from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19.

Monday, April 21:

• In Newton, the following closures will be in place:  
  • The Beacon Street bridge over Route 16 and I-90 will be closed.
  • The I-95 (Route 128) northbound and southbound exit 37 off-ramps will be closed.
• In Wellesley, the Route 9 westbound off-ramp to Route 16 will be closed.
• In Boston, the I-90 eastbound exit 133 to Copley will be closed, with a detour via I-90 eastbound exit 134A.
• In Hopkinton, the I-495 northbound/southbound exit 50 (Route 85) off ramps, the I-495 northbound/southbound exit 54A (West Main Street) off ramps will be closed, and the on-ramp from West Main Street in Hopkinton to I-495 southbound will be closed, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customers are advised that statewide RMV Service Center locations will be closed for the designated state Patriots' Day holiday on Monday, April 21. Please visit at any hour of the day the RMV online at Mass.Gov/RMV to perform many transactions. AAA members have the opportunity to conduct many RMV services at numerous AAA branch office locations in Massachusetts during AAA normal business hours.   

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation wishes all members of the public a safe and enjoyable holiday.  

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