Pike predicts no repeat of Easter fiasco
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has added five cameras along the roadway, allowing Memorial Day weekend travelers to go online and check traffic conditions along their routes, and will also fully staff its toll boths over the weekend, officials said.
Both measures are intended to prevent the backups experienced by thousands of angry drivers who found themselves in hours-long jams on Easter Sunday, the result of budget cuts at the agency that led to a lack of toll collectors.
AAA of Southern New England estimates that up to 1.4 million New Englanders will hit the road this weekend, and Turnpike Authority officials anticipate that exits that are usually congested on weekends, will again experience high volume as the summer driving season begins.
The authority's acting executive director, Jeffrey Mullan, said that the new cameras will make it easier for drivers to track traffic conditions on Interstate 90, including the Weston and Allston tolls, and other traffic hotspots such as Interstates 84 and 495. The cameras, which use interactive Google Maps, can be viewed at www.masspike.com.
Turnpike Board Chairman James Aloisi said the improvements, along with the 511 state traffic information line, are "a step toward a future that is more responsive to the residents of Massachusetts."
Anticipated hot spots are in Sturbridge at Exit 9, which sees an average of 35,000 vehicles on the Friday of the Memorial Day weekend, and Exit 11A on I-495.
The tolls will be fully staffed, and if additional toll-takers are needed throughout the system, the agency will dispatch them, paying overtime if necessary, officials said.
On Easter Sunday, traffic was backed up for up to 8 miles before some tolls. Art Kinsman, director of government affairs for AAA Southern New England, said: "Everyone would hate to see a repeat of the Easter debacle. It was unfortunate how that unfolded, and I don't think the folks at the turnpike want to see a repeat of it, either."
The Easter backup prompted outraged drivers to bombard the authority with complaints and calls for the director, Alan LeBovidge, to step down. He submitted a letter of resignation earlier this month, but insisted the fiasco had nothing to do with his decision to step down.
The authority also announced that 
