Boston, MA – With freezing temperatures and fresh snow sweeping across Massachusetts this November, transportation officials are urging drivers in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield to slow down on bridges and overpasses as they begin icing over before nearby roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they lack contact with the ground, allowing cold air to circulate above and below the structure. This speeds up heat loss and makes bridge surfaces reach freezing temperatures more quickly than pavement connected to the earth.
Meteorologists say that uneven freezing can also make driving unpredictable. “Shaded or wind-exposed areas of a bridge can freeze solid while sunlit sections remain wet,” the NWS said Friday. “That patchy ice can surprise even experienced drivers.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pre-treating major routes, including I-90 (Mass Pike), I-495, and Route 2, to help reduce icing as another round of snow moves in Saturday morning. Crews are focusing on elevated spans, highway ramps, and known black-ice zones.
Drivers are urged to reduce speed before reaching bridges, avoid sudden lane changes, and maintain safe following distances. Even a thin layer of frost or black ice can cause vehicles to lose traction and spin out.
Residents can monitor updated travel conditions at Mass511.com and follow NWS Boston for live weather alerts throughout the weekend.
