I-95 Traffic: New Ramps, Traffic Patterns in Kendrick Street Area

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced Friday that new ramps to and from I-95 will open at 8 p.m. tonight.

One ramp will extend from Kendrick Street to I-95 southbound, while the other will be an off-ramp from I-95 northbound to Kendrick Street eastbound.

The new ramps are the product of the Route 128 Add-A-Lane project.

"I am excited to see these two new ramps open to drivers. The new ramps to I-95 will provide a huge benefit to drivers seeking to access I-95 in the surrounding area and also give pedestrians another access to travel between Newton and Needham," MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin said in a press release. "I would like to thank MassDOT project staff and the contractor for completing this major milestone. Also, I thank the public for their patience as crews completed this portion of the project."

In addition to the openings, a new traffic pattern will be implemented:

• Drivers traveling eastbound towards Newton from Needham will use two lanes across the Kendrick Street Bridge and will be able to access I-95 southbound.

• Drivers traveling westbound towards Needham from Newton will use one lane across the Kendrick Street bridge and will be able to access I-95 southbound from a signalized, double left turn lane on the bridge.

• Drivers traveling northbound on I-95 towards I-90 will be able to access Kendrick Street eastbound, but not westbound. This new exit from I-95 northbound to Kendrick Street will be designated exit 19.

• A new unobstructed pedestrian sidewalk on the bridge's northern side will also open.

• Traffic exiting I-95 northbound towards I-90 will only be able to turn right on Kendrick Street and travel towards Newton.

Drivers should allot time to familiarize themselves with the new traffic pattern while on the road.