Mass Pike closure underway, reducing traffic to one lane in each direction near Boston
The closures are on the Newton-Weston line so construction work can be done on a bridge replacement and rehab project at the intersection of the Mass Pike and I-95. Crews are now finishing the demolition of a highway bridge that goes over the MBTA. It's part of a $400 million project to repair eight bridges in the state.
MassDOT is asking drivers to avoid that part of the Pike all weekend, if possible. Highway administrator Jonathan Gulliver said this weekend was chosen because it's the lightest traffic weekend of the summer.
"This is the lightest traffic weekend of the summer. When we choose these weekends, we really look at what events are going on in the city. We look at historical travel data and this is this is one of the lightest travel weekends of the entire summer, which is why we chose this," said Gulliver.
Lanes will be closed starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 20 until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 23.
The closure also impacts the MBTA. The Commuter Rail is shut down between Framingham and Boston through Sunday, June 22. Shuttle buses will be available for riders. Amtrak train service between Boston and Albany will also be closed this weekend.
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Travel + Leisure
18 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Best Beach Towns in Georgia, According to Locals
Compared to other Southern states—like Florida and North Carolina—Georgia has a relatively short coastline. Just over 100 miles long, it stretches from Savannah to just north of Amelia Island, with only a handful of beach towns and vacation destinations in between. If you find yourself driving up or down the coast, expect to encounter lots of salt marshes, maritime forests, and barrier islands; in fact, Georgia has 15 barrier islands, and only four are accessible by car. While the Peach State might not offer as large a variety in traditional beach towns as somewhere like South Carolina, it's certainly not lacking in waterfront beauty. 'For a more exclusive experience, explore Cumberland Island, Ossabaw Island, St. Catherine's Island, and Wassaw Island, all accessible only by boat or ferry,' says Trisha Cook, a Savannah native and agent at Compass Real Estate. 'These untouched beaches offer a less touristy option for peace and tranquility, wildlife sightings such as wild horses and lemurs, and the joy of boating the intercostal waterways to and from.' Keep those islands in mind as you plan your next trip to coastal Georgia—and use any one of the below local-recommended beach towns as your base camp during your travels. Sunrise over a beach boardwalk on Tybee Island.'Tybee Island is considered to be 'Savannah's beach,' but it has its own personality and sense of community that sets it apart from Savannah,' says Pam Brand, co-founder of Discovering Coastal Georgia, who describes the beach town as 'a bit quirky, with an almost boho-style vibe.' Outside of the beaches, she shares there's also an active arts and music scene and all sorts of events—from the Tybee Beach Bum Parade, an island-wide water gun fight, to the Tybee Island Pirate Festival and the YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest. According to Cook, 'Visitors can kayak tidal creeks, go dolphin watching, eat a plethora of very fresh seafood, or take a boat to Little Tybee for secluded beaches and untouched beauty.' Brand echoes the latter sentiment, noting that 'seafood is the reigning cuisine, but you'll find lots more, from great pizza to long-standing breakfast spots.' Don't miss the waffles at Breakfast Club or the grab-and-go biscuit sandwiches from The Window. A girl cycling on St Simon's Island beach. If you're searching for a classic beach town with five-star amenities, look no further than St. Simons Island. 'St Simons Island is a mix of small-town charm, amazing fresh seafood, and coastal beauty,' says Cook. 'The quaint little town has great historic landmarks, oak trees, famous hotels, and gorgeous beaches.' One of those aforementioned hotels is The Lodge at Sea Island, a 43-room luxury property famous for its milk-and-cookies turndown service. 'I like to say Spanish moss is in my blood,'' says Brand, and you'll certainly find plenty of it in St. Simons. 'The towering oak trees dripping with moss are just the backdrop for all of the history, activities, and food. At the north end, you'll find the remote Cannon's Point Preserve, traveling south to historic Christ Church and Fort Frederica. At the far south end of the island is the village, complete with our lighthouse, fishing pier, museums, restaurants, and shops,' she explains. Like most Southern towns, delicious fare is never far away. Start your day at Palmer's Village Cafe—get the PVC combo pancakes (made with toasted oats, nuts, and blueberries)—then enjoy fried chicken at Porch, followed by the world-famous barbecue at Southern Soul Barbeque. St. Andrews Beach park on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Stephanie Vermillion/Travel + Leisure History meets stunning beach views and a generally laid-back atmosphere on Jekyll Island. 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Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy married, is known for its pristine beaches and maritime forests. If you're coming over on the ferry, be sure to pack all your own gear and food, including sunscreen, water, and snacks. Back in historic St. Marys, which became part of Georgia in 1763, you can find a variety of fun activities to fill your itinerary, plus plenty of waterfront views. Walk the nature trail at Crooked River State Park, stroll along the St. Marys History Walk, and visit the St. Marys Submarine Museum.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Atlanta couple says $22K ‘trip of a lifetime' river cruise turned into a disaster — now they're warning others
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Travel Weekly
an hour ago
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Allianz appoints Shannon Lofdahl head of field sales
Shannon Lofdahl has been named Allianz Partners USA's vice president and head of field sales for North America. Shannon Lofdahl Lofdahl brings more than 25 years of experience in travel insurance and travel and tourism to the role, including as president and CEO of Travelex Insurance Services and CEO of Cover-More Group. She was most recently the sponsorships director for Heartland Pride. In her new role, Lofdahl will lead the teams that support retail travel advisors as well as the wholesale cruise and tour businesses. Richard Aquino, previously Allianz's vice president and head of sales, left in January to become president of Acendas Travel.
