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The Numbers Driving Boston Traffic Patterns and Project Spending
City records show 79 hours lost per driver in 2024 alongside targeted outlays for Mattapan and Allston work.
How we reported this
Boston drivers lost an average of 79 hours to congestion in 2024, placing the city fourth-worst for traffic in the United States and 12th globally. The figure comes from verified city transportation data released this year.
Project dollars by the line item
The City of Boston lists $31.5 million in construction expected to finish in 2026 on Cummins Highway in Mattapan, covering traffic improvements, road reconstruction and new pedestrian ramps. Separate federal funds of roughly $2 million target reconnection of the two sides of Mattapan Square through natural resources and multimodal networks. The FY26-30 Capital Plan allocates nearly $136 million citywide for street reconstruction, resurfacing and accessible sidewalks. The Healey-Driscoll Administration secured $335.4 million in federal support for the Allston Multimodal Project. The MBTA awarded Skanska a $1.06 billion contract for the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement and Associated Track & Signal Upgrades spanning Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
These line items sit against ongoing work that already affects daily movement. Right lanes remain closed in the O'Neill Tunnel and left lanes closed on the Mass Pike between Fenway Park and the Prudential Tunnel. The MBTA Blue Line reports weekday wait times of eight to ten minutes during maintenance.
Operational metrics and technology counts
Verizon's partnership with the city has installed smart traffic lights, environmental sensors and more than 170 public Wi-Fi hotspots, with the traffic system credited for cutting travel times by up to 18 percent. Peak travel periods run weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Tuesday through Thursday the busiest. Subway fares stand at $2.40 and bus fares at $1.70 with a CharlieCard. Most service operates from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Residents tracking these figures can check real-time lane closures and MBTA alerts through the city's transportation site or the MBTA app before choosing routes or departure times.