MassDOT Advisory: Rt. 1 Chelsea Temporary Closures and Lane Reductions
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that beginning the first weekend of April 2020, Route 1 northbound and southbound in Chelsea will be reduced to one travel lane during five weekends in the spring for necessary bridge repairs and safety improvements. This project to, in part, replace the Route 1 Chelsea Viaduct, is using accelerated bridge construction methods to ensure that the vital section of Route 1 through Chelsea can continue to safely and efficiently process passenger and freight traffic.
•Lane Reductions: Route 1 will be reduced to one (1) lane in each direction during the following weekends: April 3 to April 6, April 24 to April 27, May 1 to May 4, May 15 to May 18, and May 29 to June 1. Lane reductions will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Fridays with two lanes available again by 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday. During the lane reduction weekends, work continues around the clock.
In addition, during the spring, the Carter Street off-ramp from Route 1 southbound in Chelsea will be closed on four weekday weeknights and also during three full weekends. Each closure will begin at 10 p.m. and conclude no later than 5 a.m. on the scheduled end date.
•Closures: An overnight closure will occur on Wednesday, March 25, at 10 p.m. and conclude on Thursday, March 26, at 5 a.m. The second overnight closure will occur on Thursday, April 2 at 10 p.m. and conclude on Friday, April 3 at 5 a.m. The first weekend closure will occur on Friday, April 24, beginning at 10 p.m. and conclude on Monday, April 27, at 5 a.m. The following weekend closure will occur on Friday, May 1, at 10 p.m. and conclude on Monday, May 4, at 5 a.m. The final weekend closure for the Spring will occur on Friday, June 5, at 10:00 p.m. and conclude on Monday, June 8, at 5 a.m.
Drivers are urged to utilize public transit options such as the Newbury/Rockport Commuter Rail Line and seek alternate routes. Drivers looking to exit Route 1 southbound in Chelsea should use the Route 16 westbound exit towards Everett and take Revere Beach Parkway to Everett Ave.
Drivers are urged to reduce speed, exercise caution, allow extra time for their trip, and pay close attention to signage and directions by police while traveling through work zones.
All work is subject to weather conditions.