Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Fore River Bridge Public Hearing May 16th

MassDOT has scheduled a Fore River Bridge Replacement Project design public hearing as follows:

Thursday, May 16, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Abigail Adams Middle School Auditorium, 89 Middle Street, Weymouth

The purpose of this hearing is to provide an overview of the construction plans and traffic impacts for the replacement of the Fore River Bridge, which carries Route 3A over the Fore River between Quincy and Weymouth. The hearing will provide an opportunity to meet MassDOT’s design/build team for the project and offer comments or ask questions.

The Fore River Bridge Replacement is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program to repair or replace structurally deficient bridges across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Fore River Bridge project includes the complete replacement and eventual removal of the existing temporary span. The project now underway is scheduled for completion in 2016.

To be added to the project email list, please contact Donny Dailey, 857-368-8902 or donny.dailey@state.ma.us.  For more information, we invite you to visit the Fore River Bridge project website.

Worcester: Burns Bridge Construction Traffic Update

The Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge replacement project continues to move forward in spring 2013.  Roadway construction related to the project will result in some changes for motorists on North Lake Avenue and Belmont Street (Route 9) in Worcester beginning Monday, May 6.

Reconstruction of North Lake Avenue will begin between Belmont Street (Route 9) and South Road.  The first phase of work will address the southbound lanes.   During this period all traffic will be shifted to the northbound lanes, creating two-way traffic. This phase of the project is expected to last approximately eight weeks.  During this phase, the existing U-Turn for motorists seeking to go south on Lake Avenue will be closed.  Motorists going south should proceed to the next U-Turn approximately 1,000 feet farther north.

During North Lake Avenue work, access will be maintained to UMass Medical Center, the National Guard facility and the Shaw Building.  The DCR main entrance at Regatta Point will remain open during all work. 

Work on Belmont Street between Lake Avenue and Alvarado Avenue will also move to major reconstruction.  This work will be completed with traffic shifted around the work zone as needed.  Shifts will take place during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions to traffic.  Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction.

The Burns Memorial Bridge project is funded as part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s historic Accelerated Bridge Program to repair or replace structurally deficient bridges throughout the Commonwealth.  To learn more visit the project website: www.mass.gov/massdot/kenburnsbridge.

I-195 Rapid Bridge Construction Completed

MassDOT last weekend completed the rapid bridge construction replacement of bridge decks that carry I-195 over River Avenue in Fairhaven near the New Bedford line.  The bridge deck replacement during weekends only was completed ahead of the original accelerated schedule.

The bridge deck paving operation on the eastbound side completed on Sunday, April 14 can be seen, left.

The rapid bridge construction technique using eight prefabricated bridge units allowed MassDOT to limit traffic disruptions and replace the deteriorated bridge decks before the busy spring and summer travel season begins.

With the bridge deck construction completed, final project steps include removal of median crossover and existing median decks and final paving on I-195 and River Ave.  The remaining work schedule will avoid the morning and evening commuter rush, and final completion is scheduled for mid-June.

Worcester: Burns Bridge Project Safety Update

The $89.9 million Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge Replacement Project will continue through summer 2013 with advisories for boat traffic on the lake in the area.  

The Burns Bridge Project is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s historic Accelerated Bridge Program to repair or replace structurally deficient bridges throughout the Commonwealth.

The 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. 

Summertime construction will result in a change from normal conditions on Lake Quinsigamond with certain arches of the existing bridge closed to all boat traffic. A safe passage will be maintained beneath the existing bridge, and the new one as it begins to take shape.  Boaters, please note:

• No Wake Zones have been extended for 300 feet to the north and south of the bridge. These are marked by lighted warning signs and buoys.
• During this summer, the spans which are safe to use will not always be the same. A system of roadway traffic signals suspended over the arches of the existing bridge will mark the safe passage for boaters. A green light shows a safe passage, a red light indicates a closed arch. Often, only a single span will be available.
• Under conditions when only a single span is available, power boats shall yield to non-motorized craft. Northbound boats will yield to those going south.
• Tying up to or climbing on work barges is strictly prohibited. Local police will be monitoring boater compliance. Work barges are not safe for non-construction personnel.

To learn more, visit www.mass.gov/massdot/kenburnsbridge.

Fore River Bridge: The Work Ahead

The Fore River Bridge Replacement is one of the "mega projects" funded through the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic Accelerated Bridge Program. 

Construction is underway to build the new vertical lift bridge that will carry Route 3A between Quincy and Weymouth. Check out the work phases video below, and learn more at the Fore River Bridge Project website.

 

River Street/Western Avenue Bridge Public Meeting

MassDOT and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office have scheduled a Public Meeting for the River Street Bridge/Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project:

Wednesday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 PM, Honan-Allston Library, Community Room, 300 North Harvard Street, Boston

The purpose of this meeting is to present the River Street Bridge and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project, alternatives being evaluated as part of the design process, and information from the Environmental Notification Form (ENF), filed on March 15.

MassDOT will provide a project presentation. MEPA staff will lead a discussion and answer questions about the project and environmental impacts.

The ENF may be viewed on the River Street/Western Avenue Project website.  Or to obtain a copy, contact Michael Trepanier at Michael.Trepanier@state.ma.us.  

The River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Project will rehabilitate the structurally deficient arch and overpass bridges as part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program.

For public meeting accommodation or language assistance, please contact Stephanie Boundy, Stephanie.boundy@state.ma.us, (857)368-8904.

Longfellow Bridge Project Public Hearing

MassDOT has scheduled a Public Information Meeting for the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Project:

Tuesday, April 9, 6:30–8:30 PM, Shriners Hospitals for Children Auditorium, 51 Blossom Street, Boston

The purpose of this meeting is to present details on the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation design/build project, including traffic management plans and schedule. MassDOT and contractor staff from White-Skanska-Consigli J.V. (WSC) will be available to receive public comments and answer questions.

The rehabilitation will address the bridge's current structural deficiencies, upgrade structural capacity, and improve multimodal access and bridge-to-city-street connections to meet accessibility guidelines. Repairs will be consistent with the historic character of the bridge and comply with environmental standards. 

Preliminary work to prepare for construction begins this spring, including borings and other investigations, and curb modifications and the addition of a traffic signal at Charles Circle.

The $255 million Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation is a signature project of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program to repair structurally-deficient bridges across the Commonwealth. 

For public meeting accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer, 857-368-8580, fax 857-368-0602, TTD/TTY 857-368-0603, MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. 

To be added to the project email or US Mail distribution lists, please contact Stephanie Boundy, 857-368-8904 or stephanie.boundy@state.ma.us.

Fairhaven I-195: Rapid Bridge Construction, Four Weekends

MassDOT today detailed plans to replace the bridge decks that carry I-195 over River Avenue in Fairhaven near the New Bedford line, in four weekends within a six week period beginning on March 22.  

The rapid bridge construction technique using eight prefabricated bridge units will allow MassDOT to limit traffic disruptions and replace the deteriorated bridge decks before the busy spring and summer travel season begins.

“This replacement is part of the Accelerated Bridge Program that has allowed MassDOT to reduce the backlog of structurally deficient bridges statewide by 20%,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola. “Here in Fairhaven, we are pleased to be able to address the structural issues and also improve the customer experience by drastically reducing both the construction schedule and traffic delays.”

At no time during construction will I-195 be closed completely to traffic. Drivers will follow a lane shift through the work zone, similar to the 93Fast14 project that allowed MassDOT to replace 14 I-93 bridges in ten weekends during the summer of 2011.

The deck replacement work will be performed in two phases. During the first phase, (I-195 Westbound work), two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions. During phase two (I-195 Eastbound work), there will be one travel lane heading eastbound with restricted access from Route 18 and Washburn Street during the weekend deck replacement. Ramp detours will be in place.  Two lanes of westbound traffic will remain open during phase two.

Using traditional construction methods and overnight roadway closures to replace the superstructure, the project would take 12 to 18 months to complete. The project cost is approximately $5 million.

The deck replacements are scheduled to be completed by April 29th with a project completion of June 14th, with the exact schedule weather dependent.

Fore River Bridge Public Meeting Set

A Public Information Meeting for the Fore River Bridge Replacement Project has been scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm, The Fore River Club, 16 Nevada Street, Quincy

The meeting will provide an overview of the construction plans and traffic impacts for the replacement of the Fore River Bridge, which carries Route 3A over the Fore River between Quincy and Weymouth. 

The meeting will also provide residents and other stakeholders within the project area with an opportunity meet MassDOT’s design/build team for the construction phase of the project. Following the presentation, MassDOT staff will lead a discussion to answer questions.

The Fore River Bridge Replacement is part of the $3 billion Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program, repairing and replacing structurally deficient bridges across the Commonwealth. The Fore River Bridge project includes the complete replacement and eventual removal of the existing temporary span. The project, already underway, is schedule to be completed in 2016.

To be added to the project email list, please contact Donny Dailey, 857-368-8902 or donny.dailey@state.ma.us. The Fore River Club is accessible. To request language or access accommodations, please contact MassDOT’s director of Civil Rights at (617) 973-7171, TTD/TTY (617) 973-7715 or by email at MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us.

For more information, we invite you to visit the Fore River Bridge Project website.  

Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Comes Alive in Animation

MassDOT contractors will begin the rehabilitation of the historic Longfellow Bridge linking Boston and Cambridge in the spring of 2013. The project will be completed in six phases.

This animation vividly portrays the phased process of reconstructing the bridge serving vehicles, the MBTA Red Line, pedestrians and bicyclists.