Car Culture

Here’s how the Commonwealth Avenue bridge construction will impact commuters

MassDOT will close Commonwealth Avenue from Kenmore Square to Packard’s Corner to most vehicular traffic for several weeks. MassDOT

By Austin Rexinger

2 minutes to read

Getting around the vicinity of the Commonwealth Avenue bridge will be hectic starting this week. The Commonwealth Avenue bridge replacement project begins at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, and will continue through 5 a.m. on Monday, August 14.

The existing bridge, which was built around 1965, is in poor condition and the superstructure is in need of replacement, according to MassDOT. The department’s project overview says the width and height of the new bridge structure will be approximately the same as it is today.

Here’s an outline of the traffic changes that will result from the construction:

Road Closures: 

  • Commonwealth Avenue between Packard’s Corner and Kenmore Square will be closed to vehicular through traffic (local access only) from 7 p.m. on July 27 to 5 a.m. on August 14. Two-way access will be maintained for local businesses and residents, MBTA buses, emergency services, pedestrians, and bicyclists. There will be no access for private vehicles between St. Paul and St. Mary’s Streets.
  • The Boston University bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 p.m on July 27 to 5 a.m. on August 14.
  • I-90 between the Allston interchange and the Beacon Street overpass will be reduced to two lanes in both directions from 9 p.m. on July 28 to 5 a.m. on August 7. There will be additional lane closures during off-peak hours.
  • The I-90 eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed from 9 p.m. on July 28 to 5 a.m. on August 7.
  • The I-90 westbound exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently from 9 p.m. on July 28 to 5 a.m. on August 7.

Green Line:

  • The MBTA’s Green B Line will be replaced with shuttle buses between Babcock Street and Blandford Street stations from 9 p.m. on July 26 to 5 a.m. on August 14.

Commuter rail and Amtrak:

  • The Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line will be replaced by shuttle buses between Boston Landing and Reservoir Station on the MBTA Green C and D lines during the weekends of July 29-30 and August 5-6. Service will be maintained during weekdays.
  • Amtrak’s Lakeshore limited line will be replaced by shuttle buses between South Station and Albany, New York, for the weekends of July 29-30 and August 5-6.

Bus adjustments:

  • MBTA bus routes CT2 and 47 will be detoured from the normal routes from 7 p.m. on July 27 to 5 a.m. on August 14.

For pedestrians:

  • Pedestrians and bicyclists will have full access across the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge on the westbound side throughout construction.
  • Bicyclists heading north and south between Mountfort/Essex Street and the Boston University bridge will follow a minor detour route.

Check out our live traffic map as you plan and adjust to these changes, and click here to see MassDOT’s full guide for getting around during the construction.