MEDFORD, Mass. -- In less than a week, the Democratic National Convention will be getting under way in Boston.

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Jorge Quiroga Reports On Commute Slideshow: Traffic Plans Maps:DNC Highway, Road, Parking Changes MBTA Travel During DNC

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga took a closer look at what the commute will be like on the Southeast Expressway during the convention.

Since South Station will be open during the DNC, traffic south of the city isn't expected to be as bad as north of the city. Still, there will be road closures and restrictions even during the day, so give yourself extra time.

In a mid-summer vacation mode, light traffic moved swiftly Tuesday afternoon, but expect to put on the brakes when the DNC rolls into town.

"At the Braintree split (of Interstate 93 and 95), there will be signage reminding motorists that 93 north to Boston from this point, is recommended for local or airport traffic only," said Boston 2004's Mariellen Burns.

During the convention, I-93 North will remain open through Boston, but there will only be three inbound lanes open from Braintree. The high occupancy vehicle lane, or HOV lane, will be restricted to emergency vehicles and buses.

Restrictions for the late afternoon are scheduled to start at 4 p.m., but that is subject to change.

"We start the restrictions -- the on-ramps, will start to close, then we'll take the highway down another lane as you move to Exit 20 where all the traffic is diverted," said Burns.

All traffic will be diverted off I-93 at the Massachusetts Turnpike and South Station at Exit 20. Although the access ramps will close, the off-ramps will remain open.

"If you live in Dorchester, Milton or Quincy you know more alternate ways to get into the city of Boston downtown than anyone else on the planet because people coming from these areas avoid using the expressway all the time," said Burns.

And if you must get to Logan Airport, Burns said , you should take the Ted Williams Tunnel.

"If it's 9 at night and you live in Marshfield and normally pick up your wife or husband or sister at the airport, for these four days don't be so nice. Ask them to take the Logan Express to Braintree. Pick them up there. It will make it easier for them, for you, and everyone else," she said.