Traffic on the I-495 turned to gridlock Tuesday morning after a tractor-trailer crash in Bolton, Massachusetts, forced a complete shutdown in both directions. The accident, which occurred near Exit 70 on the northbound side, involved multiple vehicles and resulted in injuries, according to NBC Boston.
The incident took place after 9:00 a.m., but a full closure ensued when a medical helicopter needed to land near the crash site to tend to the injured, prompting authorities to urge drivers to find alternative routes while emergency teams worked the scene. The exact number of vehicles involved has not been released, though the impact was severe enough to warrant a major emergency response.
Meanwhile, another traffic alert was issued in Seekonk as a multi-vehicle crash on I-195 Westbound near MM-2.4 disrupted the flow, according to a tweet by MassDOT. The collision, which also resulted in injuries, left only the center lane open and officials were cautioning motorists in the area to expect delays as they navigated past the site.
Multi-vehicle crash with injuries in #Seekonk on I-195-WB at MM-2.4. Only center lane is open. Expect delays.
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) December 12, 2023
The day has thus seen a spike in traffic turbulence within Massachusetts, affecting commuters and cargo alike. With highway patrols and emergency personnel stretched to manage the fallout from these incidents, dangling the fabric of the daily commute into a knot, authorities have strived to untangle the mess and restore normalcy to the affected stretches of highway. As the day progresses, updates will be provided on the status of both roadways and the condition of those injured in the accidents.
