I-290 Exits Closed This Week In Worcester

WORCESTER, MA—The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that it will temporarily close a section of I-290 eastbound and westbound in Worcester in the area of exits 17 and 18 and detour all traffic beginning at 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, through 5 a.m., Thursday June 1, as part of the ongoing Belmont Street Rehabilitation project.

These traffic impacts are necessary in order to allow MassDOT crews and contractors to safely and effectively remove the temporary pedestrian bridge over I-290 on the north side of Belmont Street. During this time, traffic will be briefly detoured to local streets and work will take place when traffic volumes are lowest.

During the detour:

· Westbound traffic will exit I-290 at Exit 18 and take Lincoln Street to the westbound I-290 on-ramp just after the Belmont Street Bridge.

· Eastbound traffic will exit I-290 at Exit 17 and turn left on Belmont Street followed by a right on Lincoln Street. From Lincoln Street, motorists will be able to return to I-290 eastbound from the Lincoln Street on ramp.

· Both detour routes will be signed and coordinated by police details. All motorists are urged to pay close attention to signage and directions by police.

The removal of the temporary bridge is one of the final phases of construction prior to the project’s completion. Pedestrians will begin using the permanent sidewalk on the new bridge prior to the removal of the temporary foot bridge over I-290.

This project is expected to be completed this summer, and future operations include finishing paving Belmont Street and I-290 within the project’s limits of work and removing construction related equipment.

Information and image via MassDOT