Update: State transportation officials extended the speed limit reduction from the New York state line to Exit 9 in Sturbridge Thursday morning.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reduced the speed limit on parts of the Mass. Turnpike to 40 mph Thursday in anticipation of a strong snow storm.
On Thursday morning, MassDOT announced the speed limit reduction would apply only from the New York state border to Exit 6 in Springfield, then later extending it to Exit 9. The reduction will likely be applied to the rest of I-90 later in the morning, when snow begins to fall in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.
The state also shut down the carpool lane between Boston and Quincy. Most MBTA services plan to operate as normal, with some schedule changes. Delays are anticipated.
Today’s @MassDOT highway impacts:
HOV lane between Boston and Quincy will not open.
Active breakdown lane between Methuen/Andover and Wilmington is closed.
Approx 4,000 plows and spreaders will be deployed across the state.
Public advised to stay off the roads if possible. pic.twitter.com/lKgveYQeGV— Patrick Marvin (@pmarvin123) January 4, 2018
Blinking signs along major highways are echoing the message of travel officials: avoid roadways altogether during this storm. The east coast is forecast to see a dangerous combination of heavy snow and strong winds Thursday morning, creating blizzard conditions.
