Boston-Quincy HOV Lane Opens Ahead Of Labor Day Traffic

This story was last updated at 12:04 p.m. on Sept. 2.

MASSACHUSETTS — Labor Day weekend is expected to bring plenty of visitors into Massachusetts for their last chance to grab hold of a New England summer.

Lobster rolls and stuffed clams aren't the only things likely to be packed, as travel over the holiday weekend should pick up too. According to a recent survey from AAA, their members are heading to New England at the fourth highest rate, behind only Orlando, Italy and Las Vegas.

Patch will monitor the latest roadway conditions over the next few days, including major backups, highway updates into Cape Cod and the Boston metro, and any major accidents.

Friday Updates

12:03 p.m.

Traffic is slowed on both the Bourne and Sagamore Bridge on Cape Cod. Drivers are experiencing 14-minute delays on the Bourne Bridge and 7-minute delays on the Sagamore, according to Google Maps.

11:59 a.m.

The Foxboro line commuter rail is stopped at Ruggles Station due to a mechanical issue. The training is running 40-50 minutes behind, officials said.

Thursday Updates

9:53 a.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced that the HOV lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy would be opened at 2 p.m. on Thursday for holiday weekend travel.

10:06 a.m.

MassDOT's Traffic Safety Team notes that, in addition to the Labor Day holiday traffic, Sept. 1 is the busiest day of the year when it comes to moving. They've reminded residents that routes including Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road and Memorial Drive are bad for moving trucks, as they include height-restricted bridges.

12:15 p.m.

Construction operations for the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project are not occurring this weekend, MassDOT announced on Thursday. Thus, the tunnel will remain open for travel during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Weekend construction operations resume next weekend, from 11 p.m. on Sept. 9 until 5 a.m. on Sept. 12.

12:18 p.m.

Soldiers Field Road eastbound in Boston was closed for a period after an overweight vehicle struck the bridge. However, the road has since been reopened, according to MassDOT.

2:44 p.m.

MassDOT released this cheat sheet of facts for Labor Day travel:

2:45 p.m.

A rollover accident is reported on I-95 southbound near exit 29 in Dedham. The right lane on Route I-95 southbound and the ramp from Route 1 southbound to I-95 southbound is currently closed, according to MassDOT.

For Travelers

For those traveling in the region, AAA suggests leaving early. For drivers, an early start should relieve them of most of the stress that comes with congested highways. They'll feel little relief at the pump, however.

The average price of a gallon of gas dropped to about $4.06 this week, according to AAA. That's down from $4.12 a week ago, and $4.48 at the end of July. However, gas cost about $3.05 per gallon this same time last year.

Except Connecticut (average price: $3.88), every New England state was hovering in the low $4 range for gas this week, which may make you think twice about holiday travel to popular end-of-summer destinations like the White Mountains, Maine coast and Cape Cod.

In Massachusetts, the cheapest gas was available in the Springfield, Northampton and Greenfield areas, where the average price of a gallon ranged from $3.71 to $3.91. Worcester, Berkshire and Essex counties were the next cheapest gas destinations.

Read more: Gas Prices Down In MA Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend

MBTA Holiday Schedule

The MBTA has also released a Labor Day update, with subway and bus systems running in the Sunday schedule. The commuter rail will run on a weekend schedule, as will the Charlestwon Ferry. RIDE and the Hingham - Hull - Logan Airport - Long Wharf ferry line will run on the Sunday schedule.

Cape Flyer Holiday Schedule

The Cape Flyer will run trains from South Station in Boston to Hyannis over the weekend. Here's the holiday schedule:
Friday

• Leave South Station 5:42 p.m., arrive Hyannis 8:20 p.m.
• Leave Hyannis 8:45 p.m., arrive South Station 11:10 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

• Leave South Station 7:45AM. Arrive Hyannis 10:18AM
• Leave Hyannis 6:10PM. Arrive South Station 8:35PM

Monday

• Leave South Station 7:45 a.m., arrive Hyannis 10:18 a.m.
• Leave Hyannis 6:10 p.m., arrive South Station 8:35 p.m.

Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Campaign

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is participating in the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign" through the end of the Labor Day weekend, meaning increased enforcement is scheduled in towns and cities across the Commonwealth.

"This annual campaign is strategically scheduled to take place at the end of August and the beginning of September when individuals may choose to join end of the summer and Labor Day holiday festivities," MassDOT said in a news release. "State and local law enforcement across the Commonwealth will also mobilize during the campaign to conduct enforcement operations related to impaired driving."

Read more: MA Police Begin Labor Day Drunk Driving Enforcement Campaign

What To Do This Weekend

For people seeking out ideas for Labor Day weekend, Patch has compiled a list of hikes in Massachusetts. Read more: 7 Hikes In MA For Labor Day Weekend: End Summer On Top