Weekend Traffic Alert: Storrow Drive Ramp Closure, Morton Street Bridge Installation

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation this week announced upcoming road closures in two traffic-heavy areas of the city that motorists should take note of heading into the weekend.

MassDOT crews will be closing off a portion of Morton Street in Mattapan as they begin to replace the Morton Street Bridge. Work on that project begins Friday night and resumes into the next several days.

Meanwhile, crews will also close a portion of the Storrow Drive eastbound Fenway, Rte. 1 South off ramp on Saturday morning, impacting drivers in the area.

Details on both projects can be found below; information was provided by MassDOT.

Morton Street ‘Heavy Lift’ New Bridge Installation

MassDOT Crews will begin installing the new Morton Street Bridge in Mattapan overnight Friday, Aug. 8.

The bridge will be closed starting at 9 p.m. and reopen at or before 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, and the new bridge structure is expected to be moved into place this weekend.

General traffic and MBTA Bus Routes 21 and 26 will be detoured during construction. The Fairmount Commuter Rail will operate normally, except for Friday night, Aug. 8, when trains 779, 780, 781 and 782 will be replaced with shuttle busses. Crews will install a fully-accessible pedestrian crossing bridge during the bridge’s closure.

The new single-span bridge is meant to replace the “structurally-deficient” bridge that joins Morton Street across the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks in Mattapan. To learn more about the new bridge, click here.

Bowker Overpass Construction & Storrow Drive Ramp

The Storrow Drive eastbound Fenway, Rte. 1 South off ramp will be closed between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, MassDOT said.

The closure is due to construction work scheduled for the Bowker Overpass. The work to the overpass will include demolition of deck surface; crews will then install rapid-set concrete and finish the roadway to match the existing grade of the bridge deck, according to officials. A right lane along Beacon Street where access to the sidewalk and bike path will also be closed.

Officials will implement traffic detours and direct cars to the previous Kenmore exit along the eastbound side of Storrow Drive. Police details and signage will guide motorists.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays; those traveling through the area should expect delays and should reduce speed and use caution while traveling, MassDOT said.