Ice Accumulation and Lane Closures Slow Tuesday Commute

Current Road Conditions and Major Delays

Commuters heading into the city this morning should prepare for a slower-than-average drive as the region recovers from recent winter weather. Following significant ice accumulation and snow over the past 24 hours, road surfaces remain slick in several areas, particularly on side streets and elevated ramps. While main arteries have been treated, ice remains a primary concern during the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The impact of the weather is notable enough that nearby Arlington Public Schools have announced a two-hour delay to allow for safer travel conditions for students and staff.

On the highways, a major construction project on I-93 Northbound is creating significant bottlenecks. Two lanes are currently closed in Boston between Exit 19 (Tobin Bridge/Route 1) and Exit 20 (Sullivan Square). This closure is expected to cause heavy congestion during the peak morning rush. Additionally, in the South Shore area, Route 3 Southbound is seeing lane restrictions in Plymouth near the Plimoth Patuxet Highway on-ramp due to ongoing roadwork. Drivers are encouraged to allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes for their trip if passing through these zones.

MBTA Service Alerts and Detours

Public transit riders are facing a mix of weather-related adjustments and planned maintenance outages this morning. The MBTA has implemented snow routes for several bus lines to navigate narrow or uncleared streets safely. Notable alerts for today include:

• Bus Route 11: An ongoing construction detour is in effect for the outbound direction from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Riders should look for connections at West 7th Street and Dorchester Street.
• Bus Routes 121 & 137: These routes remain on snow-related detours until further notice. Several stops along Meridian Street and Main Street are currently bypassed.
• Orange Line: Maintenance work has sidelined Escalator 146 at Tufts Medical Center (Oak Grove platform to Washington Street lobby). This outage is scheduled to last through February 13. Additionally, Escalator 304 at North Station remains unavailable.
• Commuter Rail: While most lines are running on schedule, passengers at South Station should be aware that new fare gates are being activated incrementally, requiring a tap or scan to enter and exit the track areas.

Safety Reminders for Commuters

With temperatures remaining near freezing, pedestrians and cyclists should exercise extreme caution. Many sidewalks and bus stops remain unlevel or icy due to persistent freezing. For those using the Jackson Square station, remember that the south end stairway is closed for renovations until later this winter; please use the north end platform stairway instead. Whether you are driving or taking the T, patience is required as crews continue to clear the transit network and manage active construction sites across the Greater Boston area.