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SPRINGFIELD - Traffic woes are sure to intensify Feb. 1 through Feb. 5 with intermittent lane and street closures.

(The Republican file)

SPRINGFIELD - Buckle up, city drivers. Traffic headaches downtown will intensify this week, according to an announcement by the MassDOT.

The department issued a labyrinth of pending lane and street closures scheduled to begin Monday.

"These closures are required to install shielding for future demolition of the bridge deck on I-91 and I-291. The following closures are planned intermittently, and traffic will be closely monitored to avoid potential conflicts between alternate routes," a spokesman said in a statement.

Intermittent closures will take place from Feb. 1 to Feb. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The closures will include the following:

- Closure of Clinton Street between East & West Columbus Avenues. During this closure, the following detour route is in place to reach West Columbus Avenue:

From Emery Street, turn left to head southeast on Boylston Street. Turn right on Liberty Street, then turn right on East Columbus Avenue. Turn left on the turning roadway south of Emery Street, and continue on West Columbus Avenue.

- Single lane closure on State Street between East and West Columbus Avenues.

- Single lane closure on West Columbus Avenue from approximately Clinton Street to just beyond Liberty Street.

- Single lane closure on East Columbus Avenue from approximately Liberty Street to just beyond Clinton Street.

- Single lane closure on Boland Way in each direction (to and from the Memorial Bridge), at separate times.

- Additional closures of Emery Street and Liberty Street, between East and West Columbus Avenues, as needed.

Signs will be in place directing traffic around the lane closures and to follow the detour routes, when necessary.