Richmond Street Bridge Lane Shifts and MBTA Accessibility Changes for Wednesday Commute
Morning Transit Updates and Roadway Alerts
Commuters in the Greater Boston area should prepare for a mix of infrastructure maintenance and long-term project impacts this Wednesday, January 21, 2026. While major highways are currently moving at typical morning speeds, specific localized closures and public transit maintenance will affect accessibility and travel times throughout the day and into the evening rush.
MBTA Service & Accessibility Alerts
The most significant update for MBTA riders today involves a scheduled maintenance project at Arlington Station. Starting this morning, Wednesday, January 21, and continuing through Friday, Elevator 964, which connects the lobby to Boylston Street, will be unavailable. To assist passengers with accessibility needs, the MBTA has deployed a shuttle bus service to transport customers between Arlington and Copley stations. Passengers are advised to use the station call boxes at either location or speak with station personnel to request a shuttle.
On the tracks, the Blue Line is currently reporting minor delays of up to 15 minutes due to ongoing tunnel inspections and midday maintenance. Commuters should also be mindful of the Winter 2026 service schedule now in full effect. This update has increased frequency on 21 bus routes across the city, with lines such as the 32, 39, 57, and Silver Lines 1, 3, and 5 now operating every 15 minutes or better during peak hours to alleviate crowding.
Major Roadworks and Arterial Delays
In the North End and East Boston corridor, the Richmond Street Bridge preservation project continues to impact Route 1A. MassDOT is conducting substructure repairs on the underside of the bridge. While surface work is complete, drivers should anticipate overnight single-lane closures on Route 1A Northbound near the Callahan Tunnel approach. These restrictions typically begin late in the evening but may affect those working early morning or late-night shifts through the end of January.
In Roslindale, the Canterbury Street Bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic following a recent inspection. A permanent detour is in place utilizing Hyde Park Avenue and Cummins Highway. Residents are encouraged to follow the posted signage on Seymour Street and Brown Avenue to navigate around the closure.
Evening Commute: Flanders Road Closure
Travelers heading west toward the I-495 and I-90 interchange should be aware of a major overnight closure beginning at 6:00 PM tonight. MassDOT will close a section of Flanders Road in Westborough between Washington Street and Connector Road to facilitate the demolition of the I-495 Northbound bridge. This closure will remain in place until 6:00 AM tomorrow morning. Detours will direct traffic onto Route 9, which may lead to increased congestion on the Southborough and Westborough border just after the traditional evening rush hour.