The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced that painting on the Tobin Memorial Bridge southbound is set to begin Tuesday, June 3. A long-term lane closure will be in effect on the upper deck after the toll booth. Normal work hours will take place weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on weekends if necessary. Painting work is anticipated to last into the fall.

Beginning Monday evening June 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. motorists will see Jersey Barriers installed just after the tolls. The barriers will reduce traffic flow from three lanes to two lanes through the Little Mystic Truss. All three travel lanes will then reopen after the truss down to the CANA tunnel in Charlestown. The two new lanes will be re-striped.

In the coming weeks, motorists will also see additional lane closures on the lower deck for painting and re-decking.

“These projects are an important part of Massport’s continued reinvestment in the Tobin Bridge on behalf of the traveling public whose safety and security are top priority,” said Bridge Director Mary Jane O'Meara. “The lane closures are necessary to ensure the safety of motorists as well as the workers engaged in these important projects.”

The painting project began in 1992 and has nine phases, four of which are complete. Work on four others will occur over the next two years. The on-going painting process is necessary to protect the steel structure from corrosive effects of New England winters and ocean salt.

Massport’s procedures for this painting project include a stringent set of guidelines published by the Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) for the safe removal of lead paints from bridges.

All preparation and painting work schedules are weather permitting.

More in this Section