Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot Program on Mystic Ave. (Rt. 38) Begins Mon., 6/21

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Cities of Medford and Somerville announce the implementation of a municipal dedicated bus lane pilot between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays on  Mystic Avenue (Route 38). Painting and signage along the entire stretch – from Main Street in Medford to Wheatland Street in Somerville – has been completed and the dedicated bus lane will officially become operational on Monday morning, June 21, 2021.

In summer 2020, the Cities of Medford and Somerville were awarded a grant from the Baker-Polito Administration’s Shared Streets and Spaces Program to implement a “quick-build” morning peak hour inbound dedicated bus lane, as a trial, on Mystic Avenue.

Bus Lane Hours

The bus lane will be open for buses only on weekdays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

What is a Dedicated Bus Lane?

A dedicated bus lane is available to MBTA buses only (and right-turning vehicles). The Mystic Avenue lane is on the southbound (inbound) side only and is open only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m on weekdays. Outside of these hours, the lane will be available for all traffic or for parking (in areas that already have parking in Medford).

Dedicated bus lanes are effective in increasing the efficiency and reliability of public transportation, decreasing delays, and improving access to regional jobs and other essential services.

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

• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
• Visit www.mass511.com, a website that provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
• Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.