From Mass Department of Transporation (MassDOT):
Temporary traffic lane shifts and closure of the northbound exit ramp at the Woburn Street interchange in Lowell begin Saturday, November 7, 2009 as part of the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle project. The changes should be fully implemented by Monday, November 9 assuming favorable weather conditions and will remain in place for approximately seven months. The MassDOT Highway Division recommends drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for trips through the work zone.
Temporary cross-over lanes beginning south of the Concord River Bridge and ending north of the I-495 Woburn Street interchange in Lowell will shift traffic from the northbound high speed lane across the median and continuing north along a former southbound lane before shifting back. A concrete barrier will separate traffic traveling in opposing directions. An overview of the cross-over lane shift is available on the project website:
http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/laneshift.html
The I-495 northbound ramp at the Woburn Street interchange, exit #37 will be closed. Drivers will be detoured to the Route 38 interchange, exit #38, cross under I-495 and return to the Woburn Street interchange using I-495 southbound. Traffic signals at the Route 38 interchange have been adjusted and a temporary traffic signal added at Woburn Street to handle additional detoured traffic. Temporary signs and Variable Message (VMS) Signs will alert drivers to the changes and detour route.
Large trucks will be prohibited from using the temporary traffic lanes except during specific, nighttime construction when all northbound traffic is directed into the temporary lanes.
For an overview diagram of the detour, please visit: http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/detour1.html
