Thursday, 4:30 PM
Sluggish commute as delays continue
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
The southbound Southeast Expressway remained slow this morning, as closures from the partial collapse of the Interstate 90 connector tunnel earlier this month continued to complicate commutes in metropolitan Boston.
Motorists heading into the city were braking on the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge and out on the lower deck at 8:50 a.m., largely because of residual delays from two earlier accidents inside the Tip O’Neill Tunnel. The wrecks, near the exits at Government Center and the Callahan Tunnel, added to headaches on the road that has borne the brunt of tie-ups since the tunnel ceiling collapsed and killed a Jamaica Plain woman. Another multi-vehicle accident in the right lane at Savin Hill made things worse, slowing traffic to Massachusetts Avenue.
Northbound I-93 had its own problems this morning, with sluggish traffic from Exit 11 at Granite Avenue to Dorchester Avenue. Motorists also slowed inside the O’Neill Tunnel approaching Storrow Drive.
Commuters have had a tough ride in Boston since July 10, when concrete ceiling tiles cascaded into the connector tunnel and crushed a car, killing Milena Del Valle, 38. The connector, which links Massachusetts Turnpike with the Ted Williams Tunnel, has been closed since the accident.
Last week, officials shutdown additional ramps after inspectors found more potentially dangerous bolt fixtures. Officials hope to have one interchange – Ramp A from D Street to I-90 east – opened by today, but the plans to secure the ceiling in the tunnel have not been approved and it may be two weeks before traffic there is flowing again.
This morning those closures made for a long drive in the Callahan Tunnel as drivers try to avoid the connector and access Logan International Airport and East Boston.
Interstate 90 eastbound was slow in pockets heading into the city, with stoppages between the Weston Toll Plaza and Exit 17 at Newton Corner and near Exit 12 at the Tara Hotel. There were also backups for one-half mile approaching the Allston tolls at the River Street off ramp.
Along the Charles River, Soldier's Field Road and Storrow Drive east had heavy traffic from Mass. General Hospital into to I-93. In the other direction, the river roads lagged between the Leverett Tunnel and the Longfellow Bridge.
