MassDOT in July 2011 will again use accelerated "heavy lift" techniques to replace the superstructure of the bridge carrying Cedar Street over Route 9 in Wellesley.
A Design Public Hearing on the project is scheduled for tonight, January 4, 7pm, at Wellesley Town Hall, 525 Washington Street. The hearing provides the public an opportunity to learn more about the proposed bridge superstructure replacement project. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.
The Cedar Street Bridge replacement project is funded by the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic, eight-year Accelerated Bridge Program to repair and replace structurally-deficient bridges.
The project will replace the bridge superstructure and restore the structural integrity of the bridge for many years to come and increase the vertical clearance under the bridge.
Accelerated bridge construction techniques will minimize the duration of construction and impacts on the travelling public. The replacement superstructure will be prefabricated on site to allow for demolition of the existing superstructure and placement of the new superstructure within a 72-hour period over the July 4th weekend, 2011.
The Commonwealth's first "Heavy Lift" Bridge project in fall 2010 replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Route 2 over Route 2A in Phillipston.
Written statements regarding the proposed project in Wellesley may be submitted to Frank A. Tramontozzi, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT - Highway Division, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us.
I cross the Cedar street bridge during my daily commute between Walpole and Waltham. I watched the construction take place and then went away for the July 4th holiday weekend. When I commuted on Tuesday, the bridge was done and I hardly noticed. I'd just like to compliment the construction team on a job well done - without delays and without negatively affecting my commute at all. It was great watching the process of building the bridge, updating the embankments and then moving it into position. Congratulations to the team on a successful job!
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Thanks, Jed!
Posted by: Jed Durso | July 06, 2011 at 12:04 PM
This is a very safe replacement for the bridge. Everything is still built to safety and highway weight standards just much faster and more efficient. Will there be a project website for the Wellesley Heavy Lift Project?
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Yes, as we get closer to the July weekend for construction.
Posted by: Matthew | March 20, 2011 at 03:22 PM
The Route 2 / 2A bridge in Petersham was just replaced under the heavy lift program with very little traffic backup and a very well thought out traffic detour. They worked around the clock and the bridge was done ahead of schedule allowing traffic to flow back over route 2.
Posted by: Michael Wlech | January 05, 2011 at 06:36 PM
can't believe that his is a safe replacement of the bridge.
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Thanks for the comment. The "heavy lift" bridge structure replacement process is well established, safe, and reduces traffic disruptions via short time frame for bridge closure. It was used successfully first in Massachusetts on Route 2 in Phillipston.
Posted by: Alison Schechter | January 04, 2011 at 04:49 PM