State hopes to unsnarl traffic to help residents save on gas

(Mike Groll/AP)

The shape of things to come? A driver pumps gas today at a station in Albany, N.Y.

By Globe Staff

Rush hour traffic jams are not only annoying. They're costing you money, particularly with gas prices rising past $4 per gallon.

But help may be on the way. Governor Deval Patrick's office said today that the state highway department is working with other agencies, including the State Police, to improve coordination after crash-related road closures.

State officials, who estimate that congestion results in 62 million gallons of wasted fuel each year, said they want to develop new techniques to reopen the closed roads more quickly -- a "Quick Clearance Policy" that will reduce congestion and improve safety.

Highlighting efforts by the state to help consumers, the governor's office also said that the number of routes would be increased for the state's highway assistance vans; that improvements are planned for the state's 511 traveler information line; and that the state has launched a new website, www.mass.gov/gastips, intended to help drivers cut gas costs.

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