Thursday, 4:30 PM
Broken water main complicates already tricky commute
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
The drive to work, already difficult with the closure of parts of the Big Dig, was complicated this morning by a water main break in the South End and scattered accidents.
A contractor drilling holes on Massachusetts Avenue punctured a 30-inch water main Tuesday night, flooding the intersection with Albany Street. The mess closed parts of Mass. Ave., with delays between Melnea Cass Boulevard and Washington Street. Albany Street was also down to one lane between East Concord and Northampton Streets.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission spokesman Tom Bagley said traffic should be restored by this afternoon for the evening drive.
This morning the backups rippled across downtown and onto Interstate 93 southbound, with traffic stoppages from the end of the Tip O’Neill Tunnel to the South Bay Mall. I-93 has shouldered the brunt of the congestion since last week’s partial tunnel collapse, which crushed a car and killed Milena Del Valle, 38.
Drivers on I-93 heading south battled slowdowns at the Mass. Ave. off ramp and again at Exit 15 near Columbia Road.
The collapsed connector tunnel, which links Massachusetts Turnpike with the Ted Williams Tunnel, has been closed since the accident. On Sunday, officials shutdown another tube – the westbound I-90/Ted Williams ramp to I-93 in both directions at Exit 24 – after inspectors found more potentially dangerous bolt fixtures.
The shutdowns have also slowed drivers on Interstate 90 in both directions downtown. Traffic was also heavy this morning in the Callahan Tunnel as motorist try to access Logan International Airport and East Boston.
I-93 northbound was lagging from Exit 20 at the entrance to Interstate 90 and the Ted Williams Tunnel to the mouth of the Tip O’Neill Tunnel.
Other problem areas included Interstate 93 north, which was slow near Exit 20 at the closed entrance to the Ted Williams Tunnel and at Mass. Ave, near the water main break.
