MassDOT Schedules Temporary Lane Closures on Lowell Connector over Industrial Avenue Starting April 21

Closures are needed to facilitate bridge deck replacement operations. Traffic pattern changes will remain in place through August

LOWELL – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be shifting traffic and implementing lane closures on the southern end of the Lowell Connector in the area near Industrial Avenue in Lowell. These traffic management changes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 21, and are needed to allow crews to safely and effectively conduct bridge demolition and reconstruction operations. Once the new traffic pattern is fully implemented, two lanes of travel will remain open at all times on the Lowell Connector.

Traffic reconfiguration operations and lane closures will be implemented on the Lowell Connector and on Industrial Avenue, as follows:

Lowell Connector:

On Tuesday, April 21, the contractor will temporarily close the left lane on the Lowell Connector North (inbound) from 7:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., to complete modifications to the median barrier located on the bridge over Industrial Avenue. A second lane may be temporarily closed as necessary to support this work.

On Wednesday, April 22, the contractor will close the right lane on the Lowell Connector North (inbound) beginning at 7:00 a.m.to begin the installation of temporary barrier that will separate traffic from the phase I work zone that will support the demolition and reconstruction of the easterly half of the bridge over Industrial Avenue. As the work progresses, a second right lane will be closed to complete the installation of the temporary barrier. As part of the traffic management plan for this phase, the off ramp from the Lowell Connector North (inbound) to Industrial Avenue (Exit 3) will be closed. Affected traffic will be detoured to Plain Street (Exit 4) to reverse direction.

Two left lanes will remain open for travel on the Lowell Connector North (inbound) for the duration of this phase of construction, which is projected to be in place through August.

Industrial Avenue:

There will also be daytime construction operations impacting travel on Industrial Avenue, starting on April 21 and continuing thereafter each weekday from 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

One travel lane will be maintained in both directions; however, there may be limited periods where additional closures are necessary with alternating one-way traffic provided.

Ramps from Route 3 and I-495 leading into the Lowell Connector North (inbound) will be impacted by the reduction in travel lanes.

Message boards, signs, traffic control devices, and law enforcement details will be used to guide drivers safely through the work zone.

MassDOT encourages drivers to seek alternate routes, reduce speed and use caution while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

The work is being conducted as part of a $4.3 million contract project to perform bridge deck replacement and other related work (including painting).

For more information on traffic conditions travelers are encouraged to:
Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions
Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions
Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Natasha Vance, PE, Transportation Engineer

Copyright 2018 City of Lowell, MA. All Rights Reserved.
375 Merrimack St. Lowell MA, 01852
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