Lane Closures in O’Neill Tunnel and MBTA Maintenance Impact Monday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Boston commuters should prepare for a mix of lingering overnight construction and new service maintenance projects this Monday, March 9, 2026. While major thoroughfares are largely open, lane restrictions in the O’Neill and Callahan Tunnels, combined with scheduled MBTA maintenance, may add time to your morning and evening travels. Drivers and transit riders are encouraged to allow an extra 15 minutes for their trips today.

Major Highway and Tunnel Alerts

Several lane closures are impacting the city’s primary arteries this morning. Significant work is occurring in the following areas:

• O’Neill Tunnel (I-93): Early morning commuters will encounter two-lane closures on the Expressway Northbound near the tunnel. Similar restrictions are in place on the Southbound side between the Leverett Connector and the Mass Pike/South Station exits.
• Callahan Tunnel (Route 1A Northbound): A right-lane closure is currently in effect, which may cause some bunching for those traveling toward East Boston.
• I-93 Northbound Off-Ramp: The off-ramp to Storrow Drive and Leverett Circle is seeing periodic closures for maintenance work, requiring drivers to seek alternative exits toward the West End.
• Bowker Overpass: The massive replacement and widening project is currently in Stage 1A. Travelers should expect rolling roadblocks on I-90 and parking restrictions on Ipswich Street. While the overpass remains open, redesign work at the Boylston Street intersection continues to alter typical traffic flows.
• Roslindale: The Canterbury Street Bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic. Motorists are directed to follow the primary detour via Hyde Park Avenue and Cummins Highway.

MBTA and Public Transit Updates

The MBTA has announced several service changes and maintenance projects that begin today, specifically affecting the Orange and Red Lines:

• Orange Line Maintenance: Starting today, Monday, March 9, Escalator 146 at Tufts Medical Center (connecting the Oak Grove platform to the Washington Street lobby) is out of service for maintenance. This work is expected to continue through March 20. Additionally, the southern stairway at Jackson Square remains closed for ongoing renovations.
• Red Line Signal Work: Commuters on the Braintree Branch should expect delays of 10 to 15 minutes during the evening hours. Critical signal work near JFK/UMass is taking place nightly starting at 8:00 PM.
• Elevator Alerts: Maintenance is also impacting accessibility at Forest Hills and Assembly stations. Riders requiring elevator access at Assembly should use the north end of the platform and follow posted detour signs to reach Foley Street.

Commuter Advice

With the sun rising over a busy Monday, we recommend transit riders check the real-time status of their specific bus or train routes before heading out. For those driving through the O’Neill Tunnel or using the Bowker Overpass, remain vigilant for road crews and changing lane patterns. Steady speeds and early lane changes will help mitigate the impact of the current construction zones.