Early Morning Delays on I-90 and Route 24; MBTA Shuttle Alerts for Thursday Commuters

Morning Commute Overview

Good morning, Boston. As we head into Thursday, February 5, 2026, commuters should prepare for some early-morning residual delays following scheduled overnight maintenance. While the major arteries are currently flowing, specific lane restrictions on the Mass Pike and Route 24 may impact those on the road before the sun comes up. Most major routes are seeing typical winter congestion levels, but several localized projects are requiring detours or extra travel time.

Roadwork and Highway Alerts

• I-90 Eastbound (Mass Pike): Expect single-lane travel near the Bowker Overpass in the Allston and Fenway areas. MassDOT is conducting nightly repairs as part of the ongoing $84 million bridge replacement project. While lanes are slated to reopen by 5:00 AM, heavy equipment and work crews may cause brief lingering bottlenecks during the early dawn rush.
• Route 24: Significant overnight structure inspections between Avon and Bridgewater concluded at 4:00 AM. While all lanes are scheduled to be open for the morning drive, travelers in the South Shore area should look out for state police clearing work zones and removing temporary barriers between Exits 24 and 35.
• I-93 Dorchester: Be advised that new repair plans for the Columbia Road stretch near the JFK/UMass station have recently moved into the planning and surveying phase. While active construction is not yet obstructing lanes, expect to see increased surveyor activity and safety vehicles near the on and off-ramps throughout the day.

MBTA and Public Transit Updates

Public transit riders should allow for extra time on several key routes this morning due to infrastructure improvements and ongoing maintenance projects across the system.

• Lowell Line: Commuter Rail service remains suspended today between North Station and Anderson/Woburn. Accessible shuttle buses are running in both directions to bridge the gap. Express shuttles are available for those heading directly to Woburn, but commuters should budget an additional 15 to 20 minutes for their trip compared to the standard rail schedule.
• Orange Line Accessibility: The elevator at Chinatown Station remains out of service for maintenance today. Riders requiring elevator access are advised to use Tufts Medical Center and connect via the Silver Line (SL4 or SL5). Additionally, ongoing maintenance continues to affect escalators at North Station, State Street, and Ruggles.
• Jackson Square: Renovations continue at the station to improve safety and accessibility. The stairway connecting the lobby to the south end of the platform is closed; please use the north end entrance for all platform access.

Evening Outlook and Public Meetings

For those living or commuting through Brighton, MassDOT will host a public open house this evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center. The meeting will focus on the proposed Lincoln Street noise barriers along I-90. Drivers should expect localized parking and traffic increases near Antwerp Street during the evening hours as attendees arrive for the session.