Snow Recovery and Bridge Repairs Slow Friday Morning Commute

Morning Overview: Icy Conditions and Snow Removal

Commuters heading into Boston this Friday morning, February 27, 2026, should prepare for a slow and cautious trip. Following the significant winter weather earlier this week, cleanup operations remain active throughout the Greater Boston area. While primary highways are mostly clear, many secondary roads remain narrowed by snowbanks. MassDOT continues to treat surfaces for icy patches as temperatures hover in the high teens, with a wind chill making it feel closer to 11°F during the early hours.

Public Transit: Bus Detours and Parking Constraints

The MBTA is reporting several service adjustments and facility constraints that will impact your Friday commute. Commuters are advised to check the following specific alerts:

• Bus Routes 70, 77, and 96: Construction-related stop closures are in effect today. For Route 70, the stop at Franklin St @ Sidney St is closed until 4:00 PM; riders are directed to the temporary stop at Sidney St @ Green St. For Routes 77 and 96, the Massachusetts Ave @ Wendell St stop has been moved approximately 100 feet south through the afternoon.
• Green Line Parking: Commuters planning to use park-and-ride lots on the Green Line B, C, and D branches should expect significantly reduced parking availability. Snow clearing and storage operations are occupying numerous spaces, and these restrictions are expected to last through the weekend.
• Station Maintenance: Several escalator outages may slow down your transfer. The escalator at Tufts Medical Center, serving the Forest Hills platform to the Washington Street lobby, remains unavailable through the end of today. Additionally, maintenance at Harvard Square has taken the escalator from the mezzanine level out of service.

Major Highway Alerts: I-90 and I-495

On the roadways, bridge work and lingering weather impacts are the primary concerns for those driving into the city:

• I-90 (Mass Pike): Daytime bridge repairs continue in Becket near mile marker 20. Lane closures will be active from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM in both eastbound and westbound directions. Drivers should expect localized delays as traffic merges through the work zone.
• Route 9 and Route 27 (Natick): Utility pole relocations and breakdown lane closures are scheduled for the interchange in Natick. Work will be active until 3:00 PM, which may cause congestion for those transitioning between these major corridors.
• I-495: MassDOT operators are still active with plowing and material spreading between Southborough and Bolton. Possible snow on the roadway may lead to slick conditions during the morning rush.

Weekend Preview: Orange Line Suspension

Commuters should use Friday to finalize alternative travel plans for the upcoming weekend. A major service suspension on the Orange Line is scheduled to begin tomorrow, February 28, between Back Bay and Forest Hills for signal upgrades. While shuttle buses will be available, the MBTA estimates that riders should budget at least 30 minutes of additional travel time for trips through that corridor.