MassDOT reports it's opening the remaining fourth-lane sections of 128, er, 93/95/1/Hut!, between Randolph and Westwood this week. Schedule of segment openings. Important note:
With the opening of the new fourth travel lane, the authorized use of the breakdown lane for travel during weekday peak commuting periods will be discontinued to enhance driver safety and provide emergency vehicle access.
In other words, from now on, the breakdown lane is only for breaking down in.
State Police report a box truck full of ice rolled over around 8:30 a.m. on a ramp from Rte. 128 north to Rte. 62 in Danvers. No word if it was in a convoy with a Scotch truck.
Jon Chesto explores the enduring popularity of "128", despite the best efforts of state and federal bureaucrats to kill the name off.
WBZ reports State Police are investigating why a dump truck had its dumper up when it smashed into an overpass on Rte. 128 near University Drive around 5 a.m.
Update, 7:40 a.m., Tuesday: MassDOT reports all lanes in both directions are now open.
State Police shut the highway in both directions around 10 p.m. when a tanker with about 8,000 gallons of gasoline rolled over and began leaking. Fire and hazmat crews from across the area are staging in the Woburn Mall parking lot to try to control the leak.
Sarah Adams captured a Masshole in his natural element on 128 in Peabody today: Driving into a thunderstorm in a pickup packed like that.
Shortly before 7 a.m. today, Ben Ostrander tweeted:
Whoa, I just saw a black bear on the side of 95 south in Dedham near Legacy Place!
Sheeps Eating Me followed up around 9:20 a.m.:
I just saw a BLACK BEAR on Rt 109 in Dedham by 128. What???
About 8 minutes later, Nichole Davis tweeted:
State Police tweet a crash on 128 south in Burlington around 4:20 p.m. ended with a tractor-trailer in the woods, a motorcycle down and two rolled over cars, but no serious injuries. One lane was open to traffic. State Police say the driver of a dark-colored pickup that fled the scene may be responsible.
Around 11:40 a.m., Jim Lokay posted a photo of the backed up traffic on the turnpike westbound between Framingham and 495.
Around the same time, Dave reported a major jam on 128 north by Rte. 20 in Waltham caused by a multi-vehicle crash that closed three lanes. Sarah Nelson reported a similar situation involving another multi-car crash on 495 south between exits 26 and 27.
It's Boston vs. the suburbs over what roads fuel tankers can take, the Herald reports.
Earlier:
City study: North End streets no place for trucks with hazardous cargo.
Massachusetts State Police tweet Watertown Square is a mess this morning thanks to a truck that brought down trackless-trolley wires.
The Staties add the ramp from 128 north to 95 north in Peabody is literally a mess - and shut down - thanks to a tractor trailer that overturned and spilled its load of ink cartridges, giving the road surface some new coloration. Photo.
Eoin tweets Rte. 128 was a skating rink in the morning commute and that he stopped counting spinouts when he got to 34.
We got caught in it as we drove along the Fens: Frequent, vivid lightning flashes, rain coming down in sheets, people just walking slowly because they'd gotten to that point where they realized they were so soaked trying to rush was pointless.
And only 15 minutes earlier, we were busy enjoying a rainbow right over Faulkner Hospital.
Jim Storer was out jogging when the storm hit:
The last half of the run was either exhilarating or terrifying, depending on the moment. Flashes and crashes were happening every 10 seconds or so, some closer to me than others. I consciously ran on the side of the street with the shorter trees, convincing myself that was the smart thing to do (is it?). With about a mile to go there was a strike so close I saw the blue light in my face and the the lightning struck a tree about 100 yards away.
The scene in Chinatown, by JJ Leslie. Jeff Cutler videoed the rain on 128:
The Gloucester Times reports on a fire under the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge on Rte. 128.
The Globe reports a truck full of mulch overturned on 128 north in Waltham this afternoon, sending mulch flying everywhere and narrowing the road to just one lane. Don't even think of what would happen if all that mulch caught on fire.
MORNING UPDATE: The Muddy River dropped below flood stage overnight (graph), so it looks like Riverside service is back. But looks like the Red Line between Ashmont and Fields Corner has been knocked out by flooding. Also, the main road through Franklin Park is shut, mhowardkarp reports.
In general, of course, but more specifically at:
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