One ramp opens, one closes in Weston

June 23, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

These roadway ramp changes are close enough to Wellesley that we’ve received a couple of copies of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s notice from Swellesley readers. So we’re passing the notice along to the rest of you, too:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is reminding members of the public that [on Friday, June 23] it will open a newly constructed on-ramp in Weston for vehicles traveling from I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) westbound onto Route 128/I-95 north and southbound. This ramp opening is part of the ongoing work to reconstruct the interchange where toll plazas were removed last fall.

In order to facilitate the change this weekend, MassDOT will also close the off-ramp from I-90 westbound onto Park Road and South Avenue/Route 30 westbound beginning this evening for approximately one week.

“We are pleased to reach this milestone in rebuilding the Weston interchange,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Drivers should be aware that as of Friday night there will be a new path of travel in certain directions at the Weston interchange and should also be mindful of the detour route as the off-ramp from I-90 westbound to local roadways will be closed for one week.”

The new ramp will provide additional merging space for traffic entering Route 128/I-95 north and southbound and create a safer connection between the two major interstates. Appropriate signage will be in place and drivers are encouraged to devote their full attention to driving through this location.

The detour route for traffic looking to access Park Road and Route 30/South Avenue westbound from I-90 westbound is as follows:

Follow signs and proceed along the newly built ramp from I-90 westbound which direct traffic for Route 95/128 Northbound, Route 30: N.H. – Maine, Points North.
Follow the ramp as you pass over the Charles River in a sharp bend.
Bear right for Exit 24/Route 30.
At the top of the hill, proceed left for Route 30 West – Wayland.
Proceed straight to the second traffic light. Take a left for Park Road or continue straight to stay on Route 30/South Ave.

For more information on traffic conditions travelers are also encouraged to:

Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions
Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Wellesley Residents: Road work sign now speaks to you

June 1, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

On Wednesday we passed along a photo of a spelling-challenged road sign at Longfellow Road and Rte. 9 in Wellesley that sent chills through our sensitive spines. We were relieved this morning to receive email from Swellesley reader James Gehan, who shared the photo above showing that the sign had been updated and that all was again right with the world.

Original Monkees Car to highlight Wheels of Wellesley V

May 20, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

The Monkees Car

The original car from The Monkees TV series of the 1960s will be among the attractions at this year’s Wheels of Wellesley, which takes place on Saturday, May 20 from 10am-2pm at the Wellesley Community Center at 219 Washington St.

The modified 1967 Pontiac GTO for The Monkees singing group came from King of Customs George Barris, also known for his masterpieces from Batman and The Munsters (though Dean Jeffries is credited with the original build of the Monkees car). Monkees prizes will be doled out at the free event, and merchandise will be available to buy as well.

Entertainment will include music and magic, plus there will be face painting, courtesy of the Girl Scouts, and food service courtesy of the Boy Scouts. Cub Scouts Pack 140 will boast its full pinewood derby car track setup for demos.

And there will be plenty of hot rods, old cars, exotics, motorcycles and more.

Child hit by vehicle at Schofield School in Wellesley

May 18, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

A eight-year old boy suffered significant injuries when he was hit by a black Acura SUV on Cedar St. in the driveway of Schofield Elementary School at about 4:30pm. According to Wellesley police, he was with an adult caretaker and was struck in the southwest lane of the traffic circle.

The Wellesley Police Department, Wellesley Fire Department and Cataldo Paramedics responded to the scene. After speaking with witnesses, officers learned that the female operator of a black Acura SUV had driven through the parking area at the end of the driveway and began to loop around in an attempt to find a parking space. At the same time the boy, who is not a Schofield student, had crossed over from a parking spot on the opposite side of the parking area accompanied by an adult caretaker. The child was struck by the black Acura SUV, which was traveling at a slow rate of speed in the travel lane.

The female operator of the SUV stopped and immediately began rendering medical aid to the child.

The child suffered significant injuries and was transported by Medflight to a hospital in Boston.

The Wellesley Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team and Detectives responded to the scene and are currently conducting an investigation.

All of the individuals involved in the crash were at the Schofield School for non-school related events.

Last leg of MassDOT repair work schedule for Route 9 in Wellesley

May 12, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

This from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT):

MassDOT’s work-related activities will continue on its $7 million project to repair and improve Route 9 throughout the town of Wellesley.

This significant construction project will consist of resurfacing operations, roadway repairs and related work and is expected to be completed this fall.

Construction operations will occur at night during off-peak hours in order to minimize the impact on the traveling public and ensure crews and personnel are able to make improvements to this regionally important roadway. MassDOT operations for the next month is expected to be as follows:

May 14 through June 16

Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 p.m. through 5:30 a.m.: Operations will consist of milling, paving operations, and adjusting casting. This work will begin on Route 9 eastbound at the Natick town line and continue eastbound towards Cliff Road.

No work will occur between Cliff Road and Oakland Street, and crews will then continue working on Route 9 eastbound between Oakland Street and the intersection of Route 9 and Interstate 95.

Operations then will shift to Route 9 westbound from the intersection of Route 9 and Interstate 95 towards Oakland Street, and then from Cliff Road to the Natick town line.

Lane closures during these overnight hours will be necessary in order to allow crews and contractors to safely and effectively conduct operations including milling, paving, and casting.

Drivers should consider alternate routes during these overnight hours in order to minimize travel disruptions. Those traveling through these areas should be mindful of potential traffic impacts and should devote their full attention to driving through these active construction zones.

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.