On Monday, Oct. 2, the LRTA will begin using the two dedicated bus lanes – both inbound and outbound – on the new Thorndike Exchange parkway road (formerly the Lord Overpass).

The roadway project has been five years in the making and will improve traffic flow on a major city thoroughfare as well as on-time performance for the LRTA bus system. It will also assist people arriving in Lowell via MBTA rail who can utilize LRTA buses to get to the Cornelius F. Kiernan Judicial Center (previously known as the Lowell Judicial Center).

New features include separate and dedicated inbound and outbound bus stops on Middlesex Street to provide easy access to the court house and other nearby destinations; state-of-the-art traffic lights and transportation signage; handicapped accessible sidewalks; and beautiful landscape plantings and flower beds.

“This new Thorndike Exchange project signifies a major improvement of a very popular gateway road to the City of Lowell,” said LRTA Administrator David Bradley. “It will greatly enhance bus service for our customers and provide opportunities to reduce traffic congestion along this key transportation corridor.”

The LRTA wants to remind passengers that the Route 18 bus (Downtown Bus Shuttle) goes to the new dedicated bus stops and court house.