Commute affected by Big Dig collapse
A fatal accident involving a falling ceiling panel in the I-90 connector tunnel eastbound to Logan Airport in South Boston is causing problems for commuters this morning.
The tunnel was closed so that engineers could examine it, which reportedly backed up traffic in both directions on I-90, also called the Mass. Pike. The tunnel is expected to remain closed at least until tomorrow.
Coming into the city on the Massachusetts Turnpike, commuters are being detoured at Exit 24 to the Callahan Tunnel which is heavy and slow, according to traffic reports provided by SmarTraveler. The Mass. Pike westbound is being detoured at Exit 25 in South Boston and the turnpike can be picked up again on Congress Street.
Alternate routes are Storrow Drive or Route 2 to Memorial Drive and the Leverett Circle to the Callahan Tunnel, although they may experience heavy volume as well.
With roads slowed by traffic from the north, west and south, public transportation may be the easiest way into the city. The MBTA is reporting no unusual problems for subway or commuter rail service and is strongly encouraging passengers to take the Blue Line to the airport, as extra train service has been added.
Bus service is unaffected except for Silver Line service to and from Logan Airport, Inbound Turnpike routes, and Inbound Lynn buses. Silver Line service is on schedule apart from the airport route and the Inbound Turnpike routes will reroute at Copley to Downtown via Boylston Street. Riders should allow extra time because of increased volume and delays.
Mass. Turnpike Authority chairman Matt Amorello told WBZ radio that the Silver Line will be allowed to use an emergency vehicle lane in the Ted Williams tunnel to get to the airport. Prior to this decision, Silver Line buses had been detoured through exit 24 to the Callahan Tunnel.
MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told Channel 7 news that they are urging commuters from the South Shore looking to get to the airport to use water transit. Pesaturo also urged people to allow extra time as volume on the MBTA is expected to increase.
According to Pesaturo, State Police are allowing one Silver Line bus to use the emergency lane to the airport every twenty minutes, so commuters trying to reach the airport should allow extra time as the normal schedule for the Silver Line is a bus every ten minutes. 