495 Accident Today, I-495 Lowell Standoff, LOWELL, MASS. — A police standoff situation on Interstate 495 in Lowell forced authorities to shut down the highway in both directions Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 2026, causing major traffic disruptions during the evening commute.
According to officials, Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation responded to a police incident near Exit 91/92 around the Woburn Street area, leading to the closure of northbound and southbound lanes. Drivers were advised to avoid the area as the investigation remained active.
Authorities reported that the incident involved a vehicle stopped in the median area of the highway, with multiple police cruisers surrounding the scene. Troopers deployed additional resources, including the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, as officers worked to manage the situation.
During the response, emergency crews were staged nearby, and traffic was diverted from the highway. Northbound drivers were directed off I-495 near Exit 89, while southbound traffic was diverted around Exit 92 and nearby routes.
Officials also requested that pedestrians move away from the Woburn Street overpass due to safety concerns while the standoff was ongoing. Police activity extended into nearby wooded areas after reports of possible movement in the area.
Reports indicated that the standoff may be connected to an earlier shooting investigation in the Hudson and Berlin area, though authorities had not released additional details or confirmed a connection at the time of the highway closure.
The Massachusetts State Police said the investigation was ongoing and urged the public to continue avoiding the area until the scene was cleared. Authorities have not announced when I-495 would fully reopen.
