GLX Update: MBTA to Install Bus-Only Pavement Markings on Charles River Dam Road beginning Monday, May 18

Temporary bus lanes to go into effect Sunday, May 24.

Dedicated bus lanes to support reliable transit services between North Station and Lechmere during final stages of GLX project construction.

The MBTA announced today that work to install bus-only pavement markings for temporary dedicated bus lanes on Charles River Dam Road will begin on Monday, May 18. In effect for approximately 1 year beginning Sunday, May 24, the dedicated bus lanes will support bus replacement service between North Station and Lechmere Station during the final phases of Green Line Extension construction while sections of the Lechmere Viaduct are demolished, relocated, and reconstructed. Upon completion of this work and the Green Line service suspension, the roadway will be restored to its original condition.

The location of the high-visibility pavement markings delineating the new bus lanes in red paint were developed in close collaboration with MassDOT’s District 6 Highway Division and the City of Boston Transportation Department, which recently approved the plan. Work to install the pavement markings is scheduled to take place over a 3-week period beginning May 18 (and go beyond May 24 when the bus lane becomes active) with much of the work taking place at night and during off-peak traffic hours. White lane markings and white “Bus Lane” text will be installed first and are anticipated to be ready by May 24, followed by the red paint within the lane. Variable message signage will be in place to alert motorists as to when general traffic will be restricted from traveling in the bus lanes.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, Charles River Dam Road will include all-day, bus-only lanes in both directions. In addition to MBTA buses, professionally driven coaches, shuttle buses, and emergency vehicles will be allowed to fully access the bus lanes. Dedicated bicycle lanes installed on Charles River Dam Road last year will remain in place and fully operational for the duration of the bus replacement service. In addition to preserving the existing bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, the design will maintain 3 vehicular travel lanes: 1 in the Boston-bound direction and 2 in the direction of Cambridge.

During the Green Line service suspension, the frequency of buses is expected to meet or exceed current Green Line service. Modeling of traffic volumes indicates that bus lanes are projected to save up to fifteen minutes roundtrip per passenger during peak travel times on weekdays.