No major traffic problems reported on Mass. Pike as of afternoon

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

Drivers were cautioned about traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike this Columbus Day, following a massive, 45-mile traffic jam on Friday. But as of Monday night, there appeared to be no real issues on the highways.

According to Sigalert.com, a traffic-monitoring website, both directions of the Pike were moving freely across the state Monday night with cars moving at about 50 miles per hour.

State officials have said they would have enough staff at highway toll plazas to accommodate the heavy return traffic, but cautioned that the sheer volume of people heading home on the popular holiday inevitably could lead to delays.

They said they expected the Pike and possibly Interstates 93 and 95 in particular to be slow going as many drivers returned from leaf-peeping west and north of Boston.

The state Department of Transportation reported an accident on I-93 North near Dorchester that blocked two lanes Monday evening. Within an hour, the accident was cleared and the lanes were re-opened.