As the longest Interstate Highway in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Turnpike or Mass Pike begins at the New York State line linking the Berkshire Connector. However, a recent accident on the Mass Pike delayed traffic, causing difficulties among travelers.
Unconfirmed sources report that Westborough is responding to an MVA on the Mass Pike, which closed due to the accident. Moreover, a crash in the I-90 section of the Prudential Tunnel has blocked the left travel lane.
The incident caused a traffic jam, and authorities and the Highway Patrol are on the scene for further investigation. Reports indicate that five people sustained injuries, and authorities transported them to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
A-1, Ladder 1, & Rescue 1 are working a tractor trailer rollover from the Mass Pike East bound onto Route 495. Ramp is shutdown pic.twitter.com/ZQmbYuWUgy
— Hopkinton Fire (@HopkintonFire) October 4, 2023
Unfortunately, the medical team pronounced one deceased at the scene, but the Highway Patrol team has yet to confirm details about the victim. As a linking road for the state, Mass Pike has become a hub for road accidents and frequent closures.
Recently, the MassDOT, which has been overlooking the construction process in the area, announced an overnight ramp closure part of the Mass Pike and I-495 project. Official reports state Exit 106 will remain closed through October 25, 2024, to improve traffic safety.
The highway project design began in 2022 and will continue through 2027. Passersby estimates that the project’s traffic column will cause several accidents in the future.
Regardless of the troubles caused by traffic conditions, travelers have added humor to the situation as one of them wrote, “F*ck the mass pike always an accident on this b*tch.” Another person mentioned that his flight was four hours late, just in time to encounter the road obstruction.
Mass Pike highway has been described as a curse, as a certain curve section has cost many lives!
In recent months, Mass Pike has reported over 20 accidents, which have caused traffic delays and destroyed transport vehicles. On September 19, a truck rolled over the road, blocking the traffic for nearly two hours ahead of rush hour.
Moreover, the incident occurred near the Hopkinton/Westborough line, leading to minor injuries for the driver. Highway Patrol closed the area through the evening commute and informed people to reduce speed in the area.
Similarly, a crash in Charlton involving a truck carrying a forklift injured two children. The vehicle crashed into the guardrail, causing a chain reaction crash as another tuck carrying a Jeep avoided the first truck.
According to the State Police, the accident shut down both sides of the highway, and two children in the car required immediate medical attention.
The event caused traffic congestion for several days. A day later, officials opened one lane on the eastbound side, diverting most vehicles to exit 78 in Sturbridge. An emergency helicopter was on the scene throughout the closure to assist the ground authorities.
Many of the travelers have been displeased by the frequency of life-threatening incidents, and one shared on Twitter saying, “Can’t wait just never to come back to this sh*t state again. Anywhere I go, no matter what time of day, Mass Pike is backed up bc dumb people don’t know how to drive.“
Such complaints from people paved the way for the plans to move the highway, intending to reduce traffic accidents. The committee planned for the highway tucked into the rails to straighten the deadly curve section.
Additional Information
- Despite local concerns about pollution and noise disturbance, the State government has invested $2 billion in the Mass Pike project. Harvard has dismissed such concerns as one of the major investors in the project.
- Authorities have urged people to call 911 for roadside accident assistance, and Accident Recovery has a 24-hour helpline at (413) 213-3964.