MassDOT Encourages Patriots' Day Travelers to Plan

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) encourages individuals traveling during Patriots' Day weekend to plan ahead, utilize many readily available “real time” tools and resources, and use public transportation when possible. Members of the public should note Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices including Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) Service Center locations will be closed for the holiday on Monday, April 15. In addition, on Monday, April 15, there will be no deployment of the I-93 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane between Quincy and Boston.

“We encourage travelers for the Patriots' Day weekend or the Boston Marathon to make use of MassDOT tools and resources, and allow extra time when traveling,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Drivers should also make note of any road closures or detours associated with the Boston Marathon before heading out on the roads.”

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 southbound between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours and is now open for travel today through 7:00 p.m. The Sumner Tunnel will be open for travel this weekend. Additionally, the HOV lane and the swing lane at the Sumner Tunnel will not be deployed on Monday, April 15. Deployment operations for the HOV lane and the swing lane will resume on Tuesday, April 16.

The following closures will also be in place on Monday, April 15:

• The I-495 northbound/southbound exit 50 (Route 85) off ramp will be closed.
• The I-495 northbound/southbound exit 54A (West Main Street) off ramps will be closed.
• The on-ramp from West Main Street in Hopkinton to I-495 southbound will be closed.

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:

• Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. 
• Follow @MassDOT on X, (formerly known as Twitter), to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.

To find the best Marathon viewing location on the T, riders are encouraged to visit the MBTA’s Boston Marathon Guide at mbta.com/Marathon, which highlights MBTA stations closest to the Marathon route and includes other helpful information on purchasing fares, parking, and more.

Station Closures:

For public safety reasons, Copley Station is closed for the entire day on Monday, April 15. Riders are instead encouraged to use Arlington Station (serving all Green Line branches), Prudential Station (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center Station (Green Line B, C, and D branches), or Back Bay Station on the Orange Line.

From approximately 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., above-ground Green Line stops at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed.

In the interest of public safety, the MBTA may adjust service or temporarily close additional stations near the finish line.

Service Information:

The Green, Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on Monday, April 15 with additional service before and after the race.

Buses will operate a Saturday schedule on Monday, April 15 with some routes detoured to accommodate the Marathon and other festivities. For the first time ever, the Route 1 bus will operate with increased Saturday service from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with buses arriving as frequently as every 5 minutes (the Route 1 typically operates every 9-15 minutes on Saturdays) – the Route 1 travels across both sides of the Marathon route, making it an easy way for spectators to traverse the Marathon to cheer on runners.

Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts at mbta.com/Alerts for more information on bus route diversions. Visit mbta.com/Marathon for a complete list of changes.

All Commuter Rail lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on Monday, April 15. There will be a special Marathon Monday schedule in effect on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line offering four additional inbound and five additional outbound trips. The Framingham/Worcester Line Marathon Monday Schedule is available on mbta.com/Worcester.

All ferry and RIDE paratransit services will operate a regular weekday schedule. The RIDE may be detoured to accommodate the Marathon and related events.

Bicycles are prohibited onboard all MBTA subway vehicles (including folding bicycles) for the entire day on Monday, April 15. Additionally, bikes and scooters (including folding ones) will not be allowed on board Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line trains starting at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14 (the first inbound train impacted is No. 2512 and the first outbound train impacted is No. 2513) through end of service on Monday, April 15 due to anticipated extra Marathon ridership. Backpacks, coolers, cans, bottles, and large items are not permitted at the Marathon.

Paying Fares:

On the Commuter Rail, the MBTA recommends purchasing the $10 Holiday Weekend Pass, which will be available for passengers to travel all weekend from Saturday, April 13, through Monday, April 15. The $10 Holiday Weekend Pass is valid for all Commuter Rail lines and zones with unlimited hop-on and hop-off travel. Passengers should note that Holiday Weekend Passes are not valid on subway or bus.

For subway and bus travel for those that do not already have a monthly pass, the MBTA recommends loading at least $5 on a CharlieCard on Marathon Monday, which is enough fare for a round trip on the subway.

For those traveling to the Boston area, a 7-day pass might be the most useful – the MBTA’s 7-day passes are $22.50 and provide unlimited travel for a week from the date of purchase on the subway, buses, Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and Charlestown and East Boston ferries.

For more information on paying fares, visit mbta.com/fares and mbta.com/Marathon.

Parking Information:

Riders planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot on Monday, April 15 should allow additional travel time and note that some garages and lots may fill very quickly due to heavy parking demand.

More information is available at mbta.com/Parking.

Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customers are advised that statewide RMV Service Center locations will be closed for the designated state Patriots' Day holiday on Monday April 15. Please visit at any hour of the day the RMV online at Mass.Gov/RMV to perform many transactions. AAA members have the opportunity to conduct many RMV services at numerous AAA branch office locations in Massachusetts during AAA normal business hours.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation wishes all members of the public a safe and enjoyable holiday.