http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/3326781/detail.html
BOSTON -- Major traffic changes were announced Thursday for Boston and the surrounding area because of this summer's Democratic National Convention.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the changes are more extensive than first thought -- affecting a long stretch of Interstate 93 and many other popular routes. The program -- a campaign called Let's Work Around It -- was announced at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast.
Under the security plan, Interstate 93 will be shut down and closed around the FleetCenter each afternoon during the convention. On ramps will be closed for 15 miles from the Braintree split to Woburn. The HOV lanes will be taken away from motorists to provide for more security.
Interstate 93 southbound will close in Medford, Mass., for the week of the convention. The northbound side of the expressway will also shut down -- and commuters will be detoured off onto the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Route 1 will also be closed at the Route 60 exit. There will be one lane open for motorists to access Route 16.
"On a regular night in July, if we have a pickup truck breakdown, we sometimes back up to 128. We are now going to close the interstate highway system. You don't have to be a traffic engineer to understand that this is going to severely impact the city of Boston," Massachusetts State Police Major Mike Mucci said.
At 4 p.m. each afternoon, Memorial Drive, Storrow Drive, the Sumner Tunnel, the Tobin Bridge and McGrath O'Brien Highway will be closed.
"You will be allowed to cross the bridge into Cambridge, or if you have been sitting there a real long time, make a u-turn and go home," Mucci said.
"Lifestyles will change, but in the long run, we will be better for it," Boston Mayor Tom Menino said. "Look at the city's economic future. This will be great for the city of Boston."
There are ways that commuters can prepare for the closures. For workers around the FleetCenter, employers were urged to change their employees' work hours. Some companies are allowing workers to telecommute during the four-day convention.
Copyright 2004 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
