01/11/2013

AASHTO: MassDOT "Leaner and Greener" Leader

MassDOT’s GreenDOT Policy and Implementation Plan were highlighted in this year’s “Leaner and Greener: Sustainability at Work in Transportation” report by AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. In 2001, AASHTO and the Federal Highway Administration created the Center for Environmental Excellence to promote environmental stewardship and encourage innovative ways to streamline the transportation project delivery process.

The Leaner and Greener Report showcases the steps transportation agencies including MassDOT are taking to speed up project delivery and cut costs while protecting and even improving environmental resources.

AASHTO categorized MassDOT’s Plan as “setting a leaner and greener leadership vision” and pointing to the plan as a model.

Learn more about AASHTO's Center for Environmental Excellence.

GreenDOT Success: Porous Pavement Reduces Runoff

Another MassDOT GreenDOT success story is showcased at the Park and Ride facility in Whately- a porous pavement surface to reduce stormwater runoff.

The Highway Division used a warm mix asphalt to construct the porous pavement in the parking areas. This simple change achieves GreenDOT goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stormwater volumes.

The porous pavement requires less energy to produce than conventional asphalt, and its manufacture and installation results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Porous pavement reduces stormwater runoff by allowing rain falling on the pavement to penetrate the surface, reducing the need for traditional stormwater treatment that can be costly and unsightly.

This is especially appropriate at a Park and Ride lot providing customers with transit connections and car pooling that reduce emissions and save time and money.

Customers and visitors to the Whately Park and Ride can check out the sign and learn more about the innovative green construction techniques used that demonstrate MassDOT’s GreenDOT commitment.

Visit GreenDOT on the web to view the Implementation Plan.

Worcester: Burns Bridge Winter Safety Advisory

MassDOT's project team for the Worcester Route 9 Kenneth F. Burns Bridge Replacement Project has issued a Winter Safety Advisory for Lake Quinsigamond through the upcoming winter construction.

Construction will change normal winter conditions on the lake, and the public should be aware of these conditions.

The majority of the bridge work will be performed from the lake using heavy equipment on barges. A secondary off-site ‘staging area’ has been established south of the bridge to shuttle workers, equipment and materials each work day. Despite a typically frozen lake surface, MassDOT project team crews will maintain an OPEN WATER NAVIGATION PASSAGE between the two sites. This area must be avoided by all snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, skaters, ice fishermen, or anyone else on the ice.

For public safety: warning signs, floats and lights will be anchored to the lake bottom to mark the boundaries of the open water. The area extends from Route 9 approximately 1000 yards south. A minimum 100-foot wide channel will be maintained through the ice for the full length. Anchored at the north and south ends of this zone will be flashing message boards and reflective signs on steel floats. The message will read “DANGER - OPEN WATER.”

Learn more by visiting the Burns Bridge project website.