Security precautions taken for the Democratic National Convention will result in major traffic tie-ups for people who live and work in Boston.

With all of the closures and detours in effect this week, backups and delays are likely. Get the scoop.

Updated highway conditions

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Rush hour will be earlier, parking will be restricted, and traffic will be heavier during the convention. Here's a commuter's survival guide.

Interactive map of Boston hotspots

Driving | Flying | Parking | Seeking data

Riding the MBTA | Closings |

Parking will be restricted on many streets in Boston through midnight on Thursday, July 29.

More information

Details about closures to I-93 (Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)

Complete map

Details about closures on the MBTA and local roads (Globe Staff Photo / John Tlumacki)

Complete map

Restrictions

North Shore

Bikes on the T

MBTA guide to the DNC [.PDF]

UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION:
MBTA.com | cityofboston.gov | boston04.com

SmarTraveler (617) 374-1234

Readers react:

Reaction to closures

Balancing security and commuter needs

Faneuil Hall media backdrop

MBTA searches

I-93 lane closure

IMPACTS ON I-93

Interactive directions
Are you having trouble figuring out how to get around during the DNC? Consult our regional map.

Closures and restrictions will be in effect from approximately 4 p.m. until approximately midnight from July 26 to 29

I-93 closed in both directions between Exit 20 in Boston and Exit 32 in Medford

On-ramps to I-93 South closed between Exit 37 in Woburn and Exit 32 in Medford. Off-ramps along this stretch remain open.

Exit 31: One lane of local access to Route 16

On-ramps to I-93 North closed between the Braintree split (Exit 8) and Exit 20 in Boston. Off-ramps along this stretch remain open.

Northbound I-93 from the south and Southbound I-93 from the north: One lane limited to transit and emergency vehicles at all times. At 4 p.m., 3 lanes reduced to 2 lanes.

OTHER ROADS
Closures and restrictions will be in effect from approximately 4 p.m. until approximately midnight from July 26 to 29

Route 1 southbound near Chelsea

Tobin Bridge southbound

the Sumner Tunnel (intermittent closures on Callahan Tunnel possible)

Storrow Drive eastbound from Western Avenue to Leverett Circle

Memorial Drive eastbound from the BU Bridge to the Longfellow Bridge

Causeway Street

Bulfinch Triangle area closed to non-emergency vehicles

HOV lanes restricted to use by emergency and authorized vehicles only beginning July 23.

OTHER SNARL POINTS AND DETOURS

I-93 southbound airport detour: At exit 33 during restricted hours, Route 28 to 16 to 1A.

I-90 east airport detour: Airport detour from I-93 north during restricted hours.

South of Copeland Circle: Route 1 south traffic rerouted during restricted hours, except local traffic. All traffic must exit at Route 16.

McGrath-O'Brien Highway ends at Land Boulevard

Lane restrictions on Mass Pike East from the Allston tolls

No parking or stopping will be allowed on Beacon Street between Charles and Arlington streets, on Boylston Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street, and on Massachusetts Avenue around Boylston Street.

OTHER TRANSIT
24,000 North Station commuter rail passengers/day
200 water transit passengers/day

North Station will be closed

East end of Charles River closed to boats

Lovejoy Wharf water transit closed

Map of changes to I-93

Contributions to gridlock

Average daily highway traffic

FleetCenter flight ban

Safety precautions draw complaints

(By Anthony Flint and Kevin Joy, Globe Staff and Globe Correspondent, 4/1/04)

Boston will pay the price for holding a convention at a transportation hub in an age of terrorism, as local and federal officials yesterday detailed their plans to shut down North Station and Interstate 93 during the Democratic National Convention, a double whammy that is expected to affect nearly 1 million drivers and commuters in the last week of July.

Convention-week detours eyed

(By Mac Daniel and Anthony Flint, Globe Staff, 4/1/04)

The major alternative routes for traffic detoured from Interstate 93 during the Democratic National Convention will probably be Route 128 and the Ted Williams Tunnel, shifts that would pack tens of thousands of additional cars onto those roads.

Shutdowns set for convention

(By Anthony Flint and Michael Rosenwald, Globe Staff, 3/31/04)

Interstate 93 will be shut down in both directions for all four evenings of the Democratic National Convention, and North Station will be closed to all commuter rail and subway service, officials involved with security planning said.

Road, transit projects raise gridlock worries

(By Anthony Flint, Globe Staff, 3/14/04)

Several key roadways and transit lines will be under construction or partially closed for repairs this summer, just when the city's transportation system will be tested by thousands of visitors attending the Democratic National Convention.

North Station may shut

(By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff, 3/3/04)

Citing security concerns, MBTA officials want to shut down North Station to all commuter rail and subway traffic during the Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter, several officials involved in the planning effort say, potentially snarling downtown traffic as convention-goers descend on Boston in July.