Hopkinton Road Closures, Other Travel Facts, For Marathon Monday

HOPKINTON, MA—Not only will thousands of people be streaming in and around Boston for the Marathon on Monday, but the Easter holiday this year falls on the same weekend.

The holiday weekend prompted the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to issue a statement urging travelers to plan ahead, travel safely, and use public transportation where possible during the long weekend.

Also, drivers should know how the Marathon will affect routes and roads.

Drivers, of course, are advised to expect delays and traffic impacts if they are traveling in the area of the Boston Marathon route on Monday. Lane and exit closures include a closure of Exit 22 on I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) starting on Monday at 9 a.m., and a closure of the ramps from I-95 northbound and southbound to Route 16 in Newton on Monday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Additionally, Exit 21A on I-495 northbound and southbound, as well as Exit 20 on I-495 northbound, and the on-ramp to I-495 from West Main Street in Hopkinton will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Monday. Route 85 in Milford will have lane restrictions throughout the day, and the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will be open during the normal morning and evening hours on Monday, April 17, to accommodate holiday and marathon travelers.

The MBTA suggests check mbta.com or sign up for T Alerts since transit service will be impacted by Marathon activities Saturday through Monday. There's also a special Marathon viewing map online with distances to the race course from transit stations, and the an offer for a One-Day Pass for unlimited travel on the subway and bus systems for $12. There is also a $20 all-day pass for the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line, which runs parallel to the Boston Marathon route:

• $12 One-Day Pass for Subway and Bus: Unlimited one-day travel pass can be purchased from any fare vending machine. This pass is valid for 24 hours from the time it is purchased, making travel in and out of MBTA stations quick and easy.
• $20 Worcester Line All-Day Marathon Pass: Unlimited travel up and down the Marathon route for one flat rate on the Worcester Line. This pass is available for purchase through April 17 onboard Worcester Line trains and from ticket offices at North, South, and Back Bay Stations.

Due to safety concerns, Copley Station will be closed for the entire day on April 17. From approximately 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., above-ground Green Line stations at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will be closed for the entire day. The Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines will operate a regular weekday schedule with rush-hour levels of service before and after the race with no other scheduled station closures.

All commuter rail lines will operate a regular weekday schedule with two additional trains on the Framingham/Worcester Line to support additional crowds.

Due to an increase in customers using the MBTA on Marathon Day, bikes are not allowed on any MBTA vehicles on Monday, April 17. Backpacks, coolers, cans, bottles and large items are not permitted at the marathon. Please see the MBTA Marathon Day event summary for additional information.

For more information on traffic conditions travelers are also encouraged to:

• Dial 511 before heading out onto the roadways and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
• Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, access to traffic cameras, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions
• Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Drivers are reminded to avoid littering on roadways. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $5,500 for the first offense.

Photo via Shutterstock