Heavy Traffic Expected Again On Mass. Pike
BOSTON (CBS) – Drivers should expect heavy traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike Monday as the Columbus Day holiday weekend comes to an end.
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WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
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There was a 45-mile backup on Friday evening from Boston to Sturbridge, making it one of the worst traffic jams in the history of the Pike.
The same amount of traffic is expected Monday, so the state will put in extra toll collectors as a precaution.
Highway Administrator Frank DePaola told WBZ NewsRadio a lot of the traffic stems from people using cash. During a typical commute 80 to 90% of commuters have an E-Z Pass.
"Traffic is much better on weekdays than on a holiday or the day before a holiday when we have a larger percentage of people paying cash," DePaola said.
As part of a pilot program started last month, motorists can buy pre-paid transponders at highway service areas. So far, 2,200 have been sold, DePaola said.
They also blame the height of the fall foliage season for the unusually high number of cars on the road.
