07/06/2012

"Real Time" Traffic Message Boards Debut

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey this week unveiled new message boards offering real time traffic information along the Interstate 93 corridor from Canton to the New Hampshire border.

MassDOT Secretary Davey said, “Real time traffic data will better allow people to plan their commutes giving them greater control over their day. These initiatives are further examples of the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to improving the customer experience through innovation.”

The Real Time Traffic Management pilot includes I-93 Northbound and Southbound travel time information via 22 signs. The signs display travel times in segments between various interchanges. For example, drivers passing Pelham Street in Methuen see on average a 14 minute travel time to Route 128 in Woburn. As traffic slows, road sensors send updated travel times every minute to the message boards letting drivers know how long it will be until they reach their destination.

Drivers will also notice these boards on highways approaching I-93. On I-95 Northbound before Neponset Street drivers will see the time it takes to reach the Braintree Split. MassDOT is working to link this real time information for customers via 511 and also in the future make it accessible to third parties through its open data initiative.

This week, MassDOT also debuted online seven additional cameras for residents and visitors interested in road conditions on Cape Cod at mass.gov/massdot (cameras 224 to 230). The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority is now hosting two new cameras on its website: capecodtransit.org.

Six message boards are also being deployed to communicate road conditions. Plans to provide even further resources for Cape Cod travelers are in progress. Beyond I-93 and Route 6, MassDOT is next hoping to bring this statewide real time traffic initiative to Western Massachusetts along I-91.

Wonderland Transit Center Opening

The Patrick-Murray Administration celebrated the opening of the new Wonderland Intermodal Transit Center, a $53.5 million project shepherded to completion with federal, state and local support and a shared vision for smart transit-oriented development for Revere’s Waterfront Square.

The centerpiece of the project is the new South Parking Garage, which officially opens today, and provides approximately 1500 parking spaces. The new bus way is located under the garage and protects commuters from hot sun and inclement winter weather. Other features include ample storage for bicycles and improved pedestrian access.

The transformation at Wonderland Station wrapped up in less than two years. Officials broke ground on the Transit Center in September 2010 with Suffolk Construction hired as the project’s contractor.

Funding for the project includes $22.7 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Commonwealth MORE Grants which contributed $10 million, FTA and Commonwealth Infrastructure Funds of $6.5 million, $3 million from a FTA Section 5309 Grant and $11 million from the MBTA.

The project will also contribute a number of new parking spaces to negate environmental impacts resulting from construction of the Central Artery Tunnel Project.

Governor Patrick Dedicates Westfield Bridges

Governor Deval Patrick joined MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey, state and local officials and members of the community to dedicate the Great River Bridges project in downtown Westfield.

The $80 million project completed in May includes a new bridge and reconstruction of the existing historic bridge. The two bridges carry Route 10/202 over the Westfield River, providing three lanes of traffic in each direction, adding capacity and easing traffic congestion along the heavily-traveled route. The project also includes replacement of a railroad viaduct, construction of a new public riverfront park on the north bank of the Westfield River and expanded municipal parking in the downtown area.

The Great River Bridges replace a single original bridge that was one of only two crossings over the Westfield River within the city and a major transportation artery, carrying more than 33,000 vehicles daily.

MassDOT Board July Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, July 11, 1:00pm, MBTA Board Room, Suite 3910, State Transportation Building, Boston.

The MBTA Board will meet first at 1pm, followed by the MassDOT Board. All meetings are open to the public.

The meeting schedule is available on the MassDOT website.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/BoardofDirectors/BoardMeetings.aspx