03/02/2012

MBTA, Service Hearings March 5-7

The MBTA next week continues a series of public meetings regarding proposed fare and service changes with four meetings in Boston, Framingham, Quincy, and Malden. The public is encouraged to participate. Times and locations for next week's meetings are as follows:

Monday, March 5, 6:00-8:00 PM- Haverhill, Consentino School 685 Washington Street

Tuesday, March 6, 6:00-8:00 PM- Brockton, Conference Center at Massasoit, 770 Crescent Street

Tuesday, March 6, 6:00-8:00 PM- Revere, Paul Revere School, 395 Revere Street

Wednesday, March 7, 6:00-8:00 PM- Fitchburg, Public Library Auditorium, 610 Main Street

Wednesday, March 7, 7:00-9:00 PM- Hull, Memorial Middle School, 81 Central Avenue

For a full list of future public meetings and information, please visit:
http://www.mbta.com/jointhediscussion.

Have your voice heard by sending an email with your questions, comments, and ideas to fareproposal@mbta.com. The MBTA’s public outreach process continues with the acceptance of public comment through March 12, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.

A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA’s Board of Directors this spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.

Chelsea Street Bridge Update

The Chelsea Street Bridge project continues in early 2012 with the new vertical lift structures and concrete bridge deck now completed and in place.  Current work, seen at left, includes demolition of piers from the old bridge under the new structure.  To allow for the final work on this historic $125 million MassDOT project, the Chelsea Street Bridge over Chelsea Creek at the Boston/Chelsea line remains closed with detours in place.

The Chelsea Street Bridge project involves the replacement of a truss-type structure that spans 450 feet and will provide 175 feet of vertical clearance when raised.  The new bridge will include four lanes of traffic and two pedestrian sidewalks.  This is the largest permanent lift bridge built in Massachusetts to date.  To accommodate the massive size and tight space constraints in the bridge area, MassDOT contractors used an innovative technique of launching the truss across the river.  The launching sequence of the truss bridge across the channel was carefully designed to minimize disruption of the navigation channel below.  This launch process was completed in November 2011.

After the launch was successfully completed, the project moved to the concrete pours of the 450 foot long bridge deck, which required the project to enclose and heat the bridge structure because of colder early winter weather.  The concrete pours were completed in late December 2011.

Project work now includes removing the old bridge piers below the new bridge.  The contractor is making significant progress and working seven days a week and 24 hours a day to remove the 5 piers, which include segments up to 40 feet below the river bottom. Work on the bridge itself includes installation of bridge joints, barrier, and other safety items. 

It is anticipated that all required work will be complete and allow a bridge opening to traffic by the end of April.  MassDOT will announce publicly an exact opening date in advance.

New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Repairs

MassDOT will initiate around the clock work to install a new transformer and motors on the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge beginning at 6:00 am on Sunday, March 4. The bridge will be closed to traffic during the work.

The electrical system that allows both cars and vessels to pass the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge requires urgent transformer and motor upgrades that could take three weeks. The work, if left undone, could cripple the span for an unknown period of time.  The work includes replacing the existing transformer and the replacement of the bridge’s 14 motors.

“A March start offers us an appropriate time for addressing this job. The procurement has been completed, the contractor has agreed to a 24/7 mobilization, and NStar is on board,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola. “While we understand the bridge closure is an inconvenience to area drivers, the March timeframe also allows us to avoid impacting the busy tourist season.” 

During the electrical upgrade, the bridge will be set in the open position to allow marine vessels to transit the area in accordance with Federal Law and the US Coast Guard. Specific detour routes will be posted.  MassDOT will provide progress updates throughout the project.

MassDOT Board March Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, March 14 , 1:00pm, MBTA Board Room, Suite 3910, State Transportation Building, Boston.    

 The MBTA Board will meet first at 1pm, followed by the MassDOT Board.  All meetings are open to the public. The meeting schedule is available on the MassDOT website.

Board Meeting Schedule