Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

MassHighway Commissioner On Construction Traffic

Brightman Street Bridge Progress

The massive, multi-year, four-stage Brightman Street Bridge Replacement project to relocate Route 6 over the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset is moving quickly this construction season. 

The new double bascule, or movable, bridge design will lift and provide clearance for vessels taller than 60-feet.  The $186 million MassHighway project is scheduled for completion in 2012.  Current contractors for the final of four construction phases are Cianbro/Middlesex, A Joint Venture. 

Check out the construction firm's Brightman Street Bridge videos.

On the Radio: License Plate Lottery

The annual RMV low license plate number lottery takes to the airwaves this year.  Registrar Rachel Kaprielian will spin the drum to determine who will win one of 169 low number license plates in a live broadcast at 8PM, Tuesday, September 8 on WBZ radio’s “Niteside” program with host Dan Rea.

A record 6,634 people applied for the 169 sought after license plates, this year including 7A, 3333, V36 and 66X.

Winners' names will be announced during the drawing on WBZ AM 1030. A list of lottery winners will be posted on the RMV website the next day.

Visit RMV's online "Express Lane" now offers 18 services from renewing your license or registration to paying traffic citations right from your computer.

RMV Volunteers Assist Veterans

Hundreds of veterans received licensing and ID services at the Chinatown branch as more than 15 RMV staffers took part in the 17th Annual Massachusetts Stand Down.

The program brings together a wide range of specialized resources and social service agencies to provide critical benefits and assistance to veterans.

For express services, visit the RMV online.

Traffic Alert: I-93 South Overnight Closure Early Tuesday

I-93 South near Sullivan Square will be closed overnight between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2009.  In addition, the on-ramps to I-93 South from Mystic Avenue will be closed at the same times.

All traffic will be detoured through Sullivan Square to Rutherford Avenue southbound to the I-93 South on-ramp at Haymarket Square.  Those motorists destined for Storrow Drive should take a right on the Gilmore Bridge to Leverett Circle.  In addition, ongoing pavement resurfacing, bridge deck and lighting repair will cause nighttime lane closures on I-93 North and South of Boston.

In addition the I-93 South on-ramps from the Tobin, from Rutherford Avenue, from Leverett Circle and from Haymarket will be closed and detoured. The I-93 South/I-90 West on-ramp at Congress Street will remain open.

This full closure is the second of a more efficient, cost-saving Mass Turnpike Authority traffic plan.  By closing segments of the interstate tunnel system once a month at selected time frames not expected to impact the majority of drivers, more extensive maintenance, construction, sign installation, electrical and other utility work can be accomplished.

MassHighway also wants to remind drivers they may experience delays this summer due to lane closures at night on I-93 North and South between Medford and Somerville and from Boston to Quincy from 9 pm to 5 am Sunday though Friday.  These lane closures allow MassHighway contractors to complete pavement resurfacing, bridge deck and lighting repairs.

Portions of the outside lanes on the upper deck of the Tobin Bridge will have temporary off-peak closures from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday for electrical work for the bridge's lighting project. On the lower level northbound the left lane remains closed, with one traffic lane in effect each night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as re-decking work continues.

PWED Grant Boosts Abington

Redevelopment of the North Abington business district gets a boost today from a $1.67 million Public Works Economic Development (PWED) grant.  The grant supports an Abington project that will resurface the roadway, install a traffic signal at Routes 58 and 139, build a parking lot for nearby Arnold Park, and make sidewalk and streetscape improvements. 

The Patrick Administration directed a total of $8.6 million in PWED grants to projects in eight communities across the Commonwealth in the current round of grant funding.  PWED grants to municipalities target transportation infrastructure improvements that will spur economic development, job creation, smart growth and better pedestrian access. 

More about applying for PWED grants can be found here.

Freeman Rail Trail Open Saturday

The first phase of the long-awaited Bruce Freeman Rail Trail opens Saturday, August 29, in Chelmsford ceremonies joined by MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky.

The 6.8 mile trail along an abandoned rail line winds throgh Westford, Chelmsford, and Lowell.  Construction of the $5.35 million trail was overseen by MassHighway and includes a ten-foot wide trail crossing four bridges.  It is open to cycling, jogging, walking, and cross-country skiing.

There are four parking lots along the trail in Chelmsford.  Phase 2 will extend the Trail from Westford to Sudbury with Phase 3 from Sudbury to Framingham. On completion, the trail will span 25 miles.

Learn more about the Freeman Trail.  Look here for information about biking, walking, and trails in the Commonwealth.   

New Concord Bridge Opens Monday

The new Pine Street Bridge over the Assabet River in Concord opens Monday afternoon, August 31, just 14 months after construction began. 

The $1.35 million project replaced the aging bridge, above, with a new single span concrete structure, below. 

Check out MassHighway on the web to track progress on road and bridge projects across the Commonwealth and read the MassHighway quarterly performance Scorecard.
 

MBTA Service Expansion Alert: Today Through Saturday

Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and Acting MBTA General Manager William Mitchell today announced additional bus and subway service available over the next three days.  Residents are strongly encouraged to take public transit as they pay their respects to Senator Kennedy. 

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SERVICE

The Red Line will operate extra trains to JFK/UMass Station, near Columbia Point in Dorchester. 
From 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday and 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Friday, additional buses will operate between JFK/UMass Station and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library as supplemental service to the T’s regular Route 8 bus service. 
Commuter Rail will offer additional service as every Old Colony train from the South Shore will make a station stop at JFK/UMass Station.
Heavy passenger volume is expected and customers are urged to purchase round-trip fares in advance to expedite their return trips. 
If circumstances warrant it, Red Line service will be available after the T’s regular operating hours.

SATURDAY SERVICE

While funeral preparations and services are taking place:

The Green Line’s E branch will terminate at Brigham Circle.
Increased bus service will be provided along Huntington Avenue, on the Route 39, while the Green Line is terminating at Brigham Circle. 
The Orange Line will operate extra service to Roxbury Crossing Station, near Mission Hill.
Route 66 buses, which travel along Tremont Street past the Mission Church, will be diverted. 
The Mission Hill Link bus, which normally travels via Tremont Street from Brigham Circle, will not be operating on Saturday. 
Additional bus routes operating through Roxbury Crossing will also be impacted by the nearby traffic. 

MBTA personnel will be in place at key locations, including Brigham Circle, Ruggles, and Roxbury Crossing Stations to monitor service and assist customers.  Visit the MBTA website for the latest information.

MassHighway Saves De-icing Dollars

MassHighway is always looking for new ways to maintain safe roadways while saving dollars.  The latest example: crushing and grinding road de-icing mix that otherwise would have been discarded.  The de-icing mix of salt and and calcium chloride hardens into unusable large chunks if not used quickly.  MassHighway has purchased two portable screening/crushing units that will grind and reclaim the hardened mix for use on roads this next winter season. 

The units cost $55,000 each but will save up to $255,000 in materials in the first year alone.  This equipment will be a safe, environmentally friendly and economical answer to a long standing problem and its use will be expanded to include MassPike and DCR roadways that become part of the new MassDOT.