Ramp And Lane Closures Could Affect Barnstable This Week: What To Know

BARNSTABLE, MA — Traffic could be altered slightly in Barnstable this week as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation rolls out their wrong-way vehicle detection pilot program.

The program, which features "temporary overnight lane and ramp closures to test wrong-way vehicle detection systems," will go into effect nightly through Friday from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., officials said.

Towns and cities where this is happening include Barnstable, Boston, Chelmsford and Fall River.

This is part of a $2.6 million state-wide safety project involving the installation of wrong-way driver notification systems on select highway off-ramps at various locations in the state, officials said.

Minor tree clearing was completed in late 2022 on the ramps at the interchange of Route 6 and Route 132 in Barnstable in preparation for the project.

The systems will be installed along the sides of the ramp and flashing signs will be triggered if a vehicle goes the wrong way up the ramp. They use radar detection and are solar-powered, officials said.

When completed, the project will see 16 detection systems set up on ramps across Massachusetts.