07/13/2012

Anderson Memorial Bridge Groundbreaking

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey joined local officials this week to break ground on the Anderson Memorial Bridge project, connecting the cities of Boston and Cambridge over the Charles River.

The $19.9 million project is funded through the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program to repair or replace structurally-deficient bridges across the Commonwealth.

The historic bridge rehabilitation project includes structural repairs to the 97-year old concrete arch bridge that carries North Harvard Street over the Charles River, preserving original masonry features where possible. Construction will be done in four phases and will be complete by fall 2014.

During construction, two arches will remain open at all times to allow for recreational boaters and rowers in the Charles River to pass under the bridge. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction using a combination of striping and barrels to guide traffic through the site.

Approximately $400 million in Accelerated Bridge Program funds have been allocated for the seven Charles River Basin bridge projects. This is the third bridge rehabilitation project to get underway following the completion of the Craigie Dam Bridge and the Craigie Drawbridge.

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GreenDOT Open Houses Set

MassDOT is hosting a series of open houses in Worcester, New Bedford, Lowell and Amherst during the weeks of July 16 and July 23 to talk with the public and other stakeholders about MassDOT efforts to build sustainability into transportation services. The Draft GreenDOT Implementation Plan is posted on MassDOT’s website, and Transportation Secretary Richard A. Davey invites public comment on the plan.

GreenDOT's objectives are to reduce greenhouse gases, promote healthy transportation options, and support smart growth development.

MassDOT staff members, regional transportation partners and advocates will participate in the open houses. Please stop by, learn more about GreenDOT and share ideas and concerns. Comments on the draft implementation plan are requested by August 2. Open houses include:

Worcester - Monday, July 16, 5:30- 7 pm, Union Station, 2nd floor, 2 Washington Square

New Bedford – Tuesday, July 17, 5:00– 6:30 pm, Corson Maritime Learning Center, 33 William Street

Lowell – Wednesday, July 25, 5:00– 6:30 pm, Rogers School, Room 54, 43 Highland Street

Amherst – Thursday, July 26, 5:00– 6:30 pm, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk

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Fall River Route 79/195 Update

MassDOT held a public hearing for the Route 79/I-195 Interchange Project this week in Fall River and presented the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Notification Form for the project. The documents are available on the project website at www.mass.gov/massdot/route79project. Comments will be accepted through July 20.

The project's proposed preferred alternative would remove the two-level Route 79 viaduct and construct an at grade Route 79 using portions of existing streets (Broadway Extension, Davol/Viaduct Street, and Davol Street). The at-grade roadway between Anawan/Pocasset Street and Central Street will be at the level of existing Davol/Viaduct Street on a structure spanning the railroad tracks and the Quequechan River. The roadway will include two lanes in each direction, except for turn lanes or auxiliary lanes.

New ramps will maintain connections with I-195, Broadway Extension, Central Street, and Milliken Boulevard. Water Street Connector will be a new two-way roadway improving access between the waterfront and Route 79. Sidewalk and bicycle accommodations will be improved along the at-grade roadway. MassDOT will uuse a Design Build procurement process to choose a team to construct the project. Construction is expected to start in early 2013.

MassDOT Board August Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 1:00pm, Gloucester City Hall.    

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.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/BoardofDirectors/BoardMeetings.aspx