Traffic Delays: MassDOT Inspecting All Highway Infrastructure in Boston

Expect significant delays the rest of Friday as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation examines over 500 manhole covers and sewer grates on all of its travel lane highway infrastructure in Boston.

The inspection comes after a woman was killed Friday morning when a flying manhole cover went through her car on 93 South.

Several lanes of traffic will be shut down, which will complicate an already difficult Friday commute.

MassDOT officials say crews will be inspecting road surface equipment and hardware, causing lane closures and delays on both I-93 North and South from Somerville to South Bay Mall.

Hardware not secured will be tacked and welded immediately, said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin. The results of the inspection will determine whether the examination should be broadened beyond Boston.

Tinlin said that surface hardware in the tunnel system is inspected every two years. The manhole cover in Friday morning’s incident was inspected June 12, 2014, he said.