Despite traffic restrictions, just go with the flow
We'll take it nice and easy this week. With the advent of the Democratic National Convention, we will all be going through enough in the coming days. Let's just remember to breathe, be nice to one another, experience the experience, bring a good book, and go with the flow.
Also, though traffic reports sometimes sound like they're in another language, listen to them like they're your new iPod. Find out where the hot spots are and avoid them. If you're crazy enough to drive, go out to Route 128 and Interstate 95 or I-495 to get around the city when parts of I-93 closes.
A reminder that the Quick Kurb on I-93 south heading into Boston takes over the left lane from Woburn to Somerville today. The lane is open to all traffic for today only. But once you're inside the lane, you'll have no access to any local exits until you hit Boston. The lane becomes an emergency lane late tonight, cutting I-93 south from four to three lanes for tomorrow's commute to work. Fun.
Most important, during this weird week, call or write to us. Please. Let us know how it's going. Tell us your stories. We're all hands on deck next week and can be reached via starts@globe.com or by calling the Globe's City Desk at 617-929-3100 and asking for the transportation reporter. If you e-mail us, please include your cellphone number. By all means, call us from the road.
Nuts and bolts
Here is your primer for tomorrow and the rest of the week. Memorize it. There will be a test tomorrow. And Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday . . .
On mass transit:
North Station and Lovejoy Wharf are closed.
Orange Line and Green Line trains will not stop at North Station.
The FleetCenter area is closed and mostly inaccessible.
North Shore commuter rail lines will end service at stations north of Boston, and shuttle buses and subway trains will provide connecting service.
Inbound Green Line passengers at Lechmere will be shuttled to Kendall Square and should take the Red Line, starting at 5 p.m. today.
All baggage, briefcases, packs, and boxes on the T are subject to inspection.
Because of their proximity to the FleetCenter, the Orange Line and highway buses will not permit packages onboard larger than a briefcase or pocketbook.
Bikes are not allowed on subway or commuter rail. Folding bikes are allowed.
Check out www.mbta.com for updated information on service changes and revised schedules.
On the roadways:
A portion of I-93 will begin to be shut down at 4 p.m. tomorrow. It will be closed from approximately 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. tomorrow through early Friday.
After 4 p.m., traffic heading to Boston on 1-93 north will be diverted at Exit 20, where drivers can go straight to Frontage Road for access to downtown, Back Bay, and South Boston. Take I-90 east toward Logan International Airport and Route 1A north, or take I-90 west (Massachusetts Turnpike).
After 4 p.m., traffic will be limited to two lanes on I-93 south to Exit 32 in Medford. After Exit 32, there will be a single lane to Exit 31 for local traffic only.
Drive around to get around: use Route 128, I-95, or I-495 to get around the city.
I-93 south to Boston will drop from four to three lanes for tomorrow morning's commute and the rest of the week.
I-93 north to Boston will drop from five to three lanes for the rest of the week.
I-93 south to Quincy and points south will remain open and accessible from the Dewey Square Tunnel. I-93 north will be accessible from the Somerville onramp north of Sullivan Square.
The Massachusetts Turnpike remains open with lane restrictions (an emergency-vehicles lane after 4 p.m. from Allston-Brighton tolls to I-93). The change requires drivers on I-90 east to take the West Service Road exit and the Haul Road to I-93 south.
The Sumner Tunnel and inbound Tobin Bridge will shut down when part of I-93 closes.
Route 1 south traffic will be stopped at Route 60 in Revere. Local traffic can get to the Route 16 exit but no farther.
Inbound Memorial and Storrow drives will be closed in the area of Western Avenue.
The McGrath-O'Brien Highway will close at Land Boulevard.
Park and ride
Never mind that it is associated with one of the most environmentally destructive vehicles ever to grace Earth. Never mind the skepticism we have for anyone trying to cash in on the commuting difficulties of convention week. The folks at the Cambridge-based Montague Corp. are using the Democratic National Convention to tout its bright-yellow folding Hummer bike.
The T will allow folding bikes on trains (just to make the bike-train commute that much more difficult). Let's say you live in Arlington and work in Back Bay; you can bike to Alewife, fold up the Hummer, and hop on the Red Line, take it to Charles/MGH, and pedal down Charles Street.
Jim Geheran, director of marketing for Montague, predicted that more cars in the future will be sold with bikes. One Hummer edition comes with the bike as a standard option.
''It's biking and driving as a tandem transportation strategy," he said. ''It's an elegant solution for getting around town this week."
Can the two-wheeled Hummer handle Boston potholes? A version of the bike is being used by troops overseas, including in Iraq. The price? $795.
Can get there . . .
You know this week is going to be weird when you receive the following e-mail from the Big Dig folks. ''Due to work restrictions imposed upon the Project due to the DNC, there are no construction activities next week that would require highway, ramp, and major street closings, detours, or changes. Therefore, there are no press traffic advisories to issue for next week."
Complain to us at starts@globe.com. Don't forget to send us your hometown. Outside the paper, the column can be found at www.boston.com/news/local/startsandstops/. Our mailing address is Starts & Stops, P.O. Box 55819, Boston, MA 02205-5819.
