Wellesley commuters will likely see traffic and schedule changes due to upcoming transportation projects in Boston and the MetroWest region.
MBTA Orange Line shutdown
Beginning on Friday, August 19 until Monday, September 19, the MBTA Orange Line (the T) will shut down for much-needed repairs. This 30-day project will significantly impact roads in Boston and all local highways.
During the shutdown, shuttle buses will be used to carry the thousands of people who ride the T every day. The city has reconfigured many streets to accommodate the large buses and provide more bus lanes.
Wellesley residents who commute to Boston via the T, by car or by bicycle, will be impacted by the shutdown as traffic congestion is expected to increase and schedules may change unexpectedly. The MBTA is encouraging commuters to plan alternative ways to get to work.
Also during the shutdown, the MBTA Green Line E branch from Copley Square to Heath Street is temporarily suspended until August 21, and the Green Line extension from Government Center to Union Square will be suspended beginning on August 22. Buses will also be used for those passengers.
MassDOT Newton-Weston Bridge Replacement & Rehabilitation
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is holding virtual public hearings to discuss designs for plans to replace and repair nine bridges in and around the I-90/I-95 interchanges in Newton-Weston.
The proposed project will improve the safety of the bridges and roadways, increase the height of some bridges to accommodate taller vehicles, and help reduce traffic noise in nearby neighborhoods.
For inquiries about this project email dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us
New! ParkBoston app
The city of Boston has updated its mobile parking system. Users should be sure to download the newest version of the ParkBoston app.
This new tool offers cashless parking where users can set up an account with a smartphone, pay for parking online, and set and extend parking times.
Similar to Boston, Wellesley also offers cashless parking with the PayByPhone and Passport parking apps at meters, commuter and town-owned parking lots. All of these tools can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.
Visit the Parking Clerk webpages for more information.