Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

MassDOT Board Approves North Bank Bridge

The MassDOT Board of Directors today approved construction of a landmark bicycle-pedestrian connection from East Cambridge to Charlestown City Square and the Boston Harbor Waterfront- the North Bank Bridge.

The $25.3 million contract awarded to Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. is a "shovel ready" project funded by federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), creating jobs in the construction trades for ironworkers, electricians, masons, surveyors, and laborers as well as fabricators and engineering professionals.  Construction is expected to take slightly more than two years. 

The project is part of required mitigation for the impact of the Central Artery/Tunnel project in the New Charles River Basin.

The North Bank Bridge River Walk over the Millers River and the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks will provide an accessible and safe multi-use path connection from Cambridge to Charlestown, with walkway connections from the bridge linking North Point Park and Paul Revere Park.  A connection will be provided to the recently constructed Cambridge Multi-Use Trail. 

The project completes surface restoration beneath and adjacent to the Zakim Bridge along the north and south banks of the Charles River and offers an enhanced route for residents traveling to the Charlestown waterfront and North End.  Learn more about ARRA federal stimulus transportation projects.

Framingham Bridge Reopens

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced the reopening of the Main Street Bridge over the Sudbury River in Framingham. 

The $1.6 million project involved reconstruction of the bridge using several sections of the existing historic bridge, including steel trusses and granite foundation blocks.   The MassDOT Highway Division’s contractor on the Town-owned bridge project is James A. Gross, Inc.

The Main Street Bridge had been closed for several years and designs addressed Town desires to maintain and reuse historic components of the original bridge.  The reopened bridge provides additional commuter access to Route 9 in Framingham.  Check MassDOT Highway projects here.

Fed Stimulus: Rebuilding, Creating Jobs

 
Governor Patrick and MassDOT are investing federal stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in road and bridge projects and providing jobs for today and tomorrow in every corner of the Commonwealth. 

We are pushing projects out the door as fast as possible to fix broken roads and bridges, spark long term economic development, and improve access to transit, bicycling and walking.  

Examples include $15 million to jump-start the Assembly Square project in Somerville that will result in thousands of future jobs tied to a new IKEA store, parks, office space, housing, and a new MBTA Orange line stop, along with more than $30 million invested in Exit 8B in Fall River to support development at the Fall River Executive Park.

Five additional projects moving forward this month have a total value of $84.6 million, including the North Bank pedestrian bridge. By next spring we will have allocated the entire $437.9 million allotment of ARRA highway funding and all our projects will be in the pipeline to construction or already under construction.

The full report is here and after the jump. 

CSX Rail Agreement, South Coast Rail Plans Move Forward

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced that the Commonwealth’s comprehensive multi-year rail transportation agreement with CSX Transportation (CSXT), the national freight carrier serving Massachusetts, has been submitted for review with the Federal Surface Transportation Board.  Filing with the Surface Transportation Board represents another major milestone towards the first closing of the historic agreement expected in May 2010. 

In addition, CSXT has reached initial agreement with the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, Mass Coastal, to take over freight rail activities on the former CSXT South Coast Lines being purchased by the Commonwealth, an important step in the process of bringing passenger rail service to the South Coast and enhancing local freight rail service to the region. 

Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray announced the CSXT agreement in September.  The Lieutenant Governor had been working on this agreement since he was Mayor of Worcester and led the negotiations on behalf of the administration with critical support from the Governor, Senator John Kerry and Congressman Jim McGovern.  The agreement reached in September overcame the final major hurdle, with CSXT agreeing to help defray the MBTA’s liability insurance cost and pay the deductible on the liability insurance policy if a collision occurs involving a freight train and CSXT is clearly at fault because of willful misconduct. More after the break.

Holiday Travel Tips: Safe Winter Driving

To prepare for the coming wintry weather, motorists should check all fluids, make sure their radiator is winterized, maintain a gas tank above half-full and keep windshield washing fluid on hand. A winter survival kit should include an ice scraper and shovel, flashlight, jumper cables, flares, sand for traction, extra clothing or blankets, a first-aid kit and non-perishable food.

Use the brake and gas pedal lightly when driving in icy conditions and watch for bridges, which freeze before roadways. Do not use cruise control in icy conditions. Clear frost from windows and mirrors. And remember that exit ramps may have less sand and salt on them than the highway.

Remember that the road in front of the plow is usually in much worse condition than the roadway behind the plow. Plows will typically travel under 35 miles per hour and there is always a temptation to pass them. For safety purposes, it is recommended to stay a safe distance behind snowplows.

In wintry weather, motorists should drive with headlights on, observe posted speed limits, never drink and drive, make sure everyone is using a seatbelt and be on the lookout for changing weather conditions. Other safety precautions include obeying warning signs, keeping a safe distance between vehicles and using four-way flashers when stopped in traffic or traveling slowly.

Check the MassDOT traffic page for traffic cameras and traffic alerts: www.mass.gov/511/cameras

More information on winter driving is available at the MassDOT website here.

Bedford Bridge Opens Ahead of Schedule

The new Page Road Bridge over the Shawsheen River in Bedford reopened today, several months ahead of schedule. 

The $1.8 million bridge project replaced an 88-year old structurally-deficient bridge with the new structure, which was designed by Purcell Associates, Boston.  Northern Construction Service, Weymouth, was awarded the construction contract. 

The original bridge was demolished and traffic rerouted. Work began in November 2008 and was completed on budget and in about one year, more than five months ahead of the original schedule. 

Visit the MassDOT Highway Division's Projects web page to learn more about road and bridge construction across the Commonwealth.  

Holiday Travel Tips: MBTA, Logan Airport

The MBTA Thanksgiving Holiday service schedule for Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27 is available here, at www.mbta.com. 

Due heavy traffic, residents are encouraged to use public transportation to get to and from Logan Airport.  Last year on the day before Thanksgiving, more than 50,000 drivers traveled through the Ted Williams, Callahan and Sumner Tunnels. 

To accommodate MBTA customers traveling to and from Logan Airport, Silver Line service will be enhanced during peak airport travel times before the holiday and continuing through Tuesday, December 1. The Silver Line stops at five Logan terminals. With low floors and plenty of space, the 60-foot-long Silver Line vehicles are ideal for customers traveling with luggage. Remember to buy a CharlieTicket when leaving Logan. Buy a CharlieTicket with a One- or Seven-Day LinkPass to use during the holiday weekend.  To learn more visit the MBTA website or call MBTA Customer Support, 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100, TTY 617-222-5146, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Massport recommends passengers allow extra time to check in and get through security and to always check their airline flight status before leaving for the airport. Visit Massport here at www.massport.com for updated flight arrival and departure information. 

Cape Canal Task Force Begins Works

MassDOT representatives met with the Canal Area Regional Traffic Task Force today for the first Task Force Meeting.  A review of the proposed overall work timeline and task force mission statement were the first orders of business.   

The first Task Force Meeting comes one week after its creation due to the intense interest and need for quick improvements in plans for traffic congestion related to the Canal bridges.  MassDOT and the Cape Cod Commission will collect data on the existing traffic conditions on the canal area roadways during December and January so that the data can be used to recommend improvement projects before construction on the Sagamore bridge begins again in the spring. 

The proposed task force mission statement: To reduce traffic congestion on the Bourne and Sagamore bridges and the connecting roadways through the implementation of cost-effective transportation improvements that will help support the economic and personal well-being of Cape Cod residents and visitors. 

View the Army Corps bridge work information and traffic alerts.

Danvers Bridges Reopen

MassDOT Highway Division contractors completed the $4.3 million construction of the Route 1- Newbury Street bridges over Route 62- Maple Street in Danvers on schedule.  The bridges reopened to full traffic width this week. 

To recapture time lost to utility delays, MassDOT had worked with the contractor SPS New England to change traffic management plans and complete the project in two phases rather than three.

Demolition work in September reduced traffic to one lane in each direction on Route 1.  The bridges are now open in two lanes, both directions, with final project completion early next year.

Visit the MassDOT Highway Division projects web page to learn more about construction across the Commonwealth. 

Secretary Mullan: Infrastructure Investment