LYNN — MassDOT has restored two travel lanes on Route 1A at the General Edwards Drawbridge at the Revere/Lynn line.
This change, effective Aug. 28, will mean that all lanes will be open during peak hours, while temporary left lane closures on Route 1A northbound and southbound will be implemented during off-peak hours. This change has been made “to further minimize impacts on the traveling public during the afternoon peak commute,” according to a press release from MassDOT.
Necessary structural repairs will continue. The repair work, which will be conducted on the underside of the bridge, consists of installing bolted steel plates to reinforce some of the existing steel members.
“The typical work shift is expected to be Sunday nights through Thursday nights, 7:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Additional work is expected to take place during the day with temporary lane closures on Route 1A Northbound outside of the peak weekday afternoon travel period from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m,” MassDOT wrote in a statement to The Daily Item.
MassDOT also explained how the change will affect the timeline of the project.
“The revised work plan will affect the efficiency of the repair work as the contractor will need to establish the temporary lane closures and relocate portions of the temporary barrier at the beginning of each work shift and will need to reverse those actions at the end of each work shift to restore the roadway to full operations,” the statement continued.
“The impacts are anticipated to be significantly offset by the benefits to the local and regional users that rely on the Route 1A corridor. MassDOT is working with the contractor to develop the schedule for the revised work plan,” MassDOT wrote.
Lynn Delegation members State Rep. Sean Reid, Sen. Brendan Crighton, and Rep. Jenny Armini commented on MassDOT’s recent decision regarding the construction project at General Edwards Drawbridge.
“So many of us experienced the initial frustration that came with this project, which is urgent and safety-related, but I’m glad we’ve been able to alleviate it,” Reid said. “We’re grateful to MassDOT for listening to our concerns and working hard to adjust the plan in a way that helps mitigate the negative effects on commuters. Their partnership and responsiveness have made a real difference.”
“After expressing our frustration over the impact that the lane closures were having on traffic patterns, we are pleased to see that MassDOT has revised the scope of the work zone to ensure that those traveling along the General Edwards Drawbridge experience less disruption to their daily commute,” Crighton said. “We appreciate MassDOT’s decision to adjust the project based on input from the community.”
“I’m grateful to everyone who shared their commuting experiences,” Armini said. “Their real-time feedback informed MassDOT’s decisions, and I thank them for listening.”
All scheduled work is weather-dependent and subject to change without notice. Appropriate signage and law enforcement details will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
Travelers can find more information on traffic conditions via the Mass511 app or www.mass511.com, where they can view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
Travelers can also dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. They can also follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
