Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey along with state and local officials for the groundbreaking of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge project in Worcester, one of the signature projects moving forward as part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program to repair or replace structurally-deficient bridges across the Commonwealth.
The $89.9 million Burns Bridge replacement project will widen the bridge from two to three travel lanes in each direction and include accessible sidewalks and dedicated bicycle lanes on both sides of the bridge. Federal funds will account for 80 percent of the project’s total cost.
The existing structurally-deficient bridge will be replaced with a new five-span steel deck arch structure that will provide three travel lanes in both directions with exclusive left- and right-turn lanes on the westbound approach into Worcester.
This will accommodate projected increases in traffic volumes, improve safety at the intersection of Route 9 and Lake Avenue and remove the need for eastbound motorists to make a U-turn on Lake Avenue North to access destinations on Lake Avenue South. The replacement project will be constructed by Middlesex Corporation.
The new bridge that will accommodate all users while minimizing impacts to the intersections or the homes and business on either side of the bridge adjacent to the state highway layout line in Worcester and Shrewsbury. The proposed roadway profile will be raised in order to provide improved vertical under-clearance for recreational users of the lake. Bicycle lanes on the bridge and sidewalks will be provided in both directions.
For more information and project updates, visit the Burns Memorial Bridge project website.
When will construction work begin?
It's June 29, 2012 and yet there's not a backhoe in sight -- not even a guy in a hard hat.
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Work began a few weeks ago. The bulk of work for the summer is 'in the lake' with little impact to the existing structure- borings at the proposed pile locations.
Heavier construction in the lake should start in September - with pile driving.
As work proceeds, more specific two-week work schedules will be posted online.
Posted by: Chris Kirk | June 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM