Date: 10/07/2011

MBTA Board Advances Blue Line, Orange Line Projects

The MBTA Board of Directors this week approved the latest project in the long term modernization of the Blue Line- a $26.3 million contract with Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. for the Blue Line Orient Heights Station Modernization Project in East Boston.

The Orient Heights Station was constructed in 1952 and the project will reconstruct the station to be fully accessible to all passengers as well as make large scale improvements.  The construction will include installation of a new overhead pedestrian bridge, 4 elevators and 2 escalators, new mechanical and power systems, a renovated Train Operations Building and improvements to the bus access areas.  Work will begin in late fall 2011 with completion expected in 2014.

 The Board also approved a $29.2 million contract with S&R Construction Co., Inc. for a new Assembly Square Station on the Orange Line, also expected to be completed in 2014.  The new Station will serve a large, multi-phase project to be completed over several years that will include office, retail, hotel, and housing components.

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Route 2 Repairs Begin

MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey announced that work to reconstruct the six-mile section of Route 2 devastated by Tropical Storm Irene is beginning this week.

 The roadway linking the communities of North Adams, Florida, Savoy, and Charlemont suffered major damage from the storm and flooding, making it impassable to traffic. Reconstruction is expected to cost $34.5 million and work under an accelerated bidding process will begin early next week.  The roadway is expected to re-open to traffic by mid-December.  

MassDOT has assembled a map showing the closed portion of Route 2 that suffered significant damage due to flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and outlining the current posted detour.

Route 2 is closed from Mile Marker 21.6 in Florida to Mile Marker 27.5 in Charlemont.

 "Governor Patrick has been clear: reopening Route 2 is a top priority.  We are working as quickly as possible to open the road again for safety and connectivity reasons, but also to reopen a popular area for tourism," said Secretary Davey.

The work is being done under an expedited bidding process, with designs completed, bids solicited, and contracts signed in a span of three weeks.  Two areas of slope repairs and road reconstruction in North Adams and Florida will begin immediately at a total cost of approximately $11.5 million.  

 A separate $7.5 million expedited contract early in October will include reconstruction of Route 2 farther east in the towns of Savoy and Charlemont.  A final estimated $15.5 million contract this fall will include reconstruction of portions of retaining walls between Savoy and Charlemont, which can occur with the road re-opened to traffic.  MassDOT will seek federal reimbursement for costs associated with these repairs. 

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MassDOT Safety Reminder: Safe Driving Law Anniversary

MassDOT reminds Massachusetts drivers to obey laws banning texting while driving and cell phone use while driving by 16 and 17 year olds, following the September 30 one-year anniversary of the Safe Driving Law.

"The Safe Driving law is an important tool for law enforcement and has created a heightened awareness that driving while texting or using a cell phone carelessly is unsafe," said MassDOT Registrar Rachel Kaprielian.

Governor Patrick signed legislation in 2010 making it illegal for all drivers to send or read an electronic message or access the Internet while operating a vehicle even while stopped in traffic. Junior operators 16 and 17 years old are also prohibited from using a cell phone, including those with hands free capabilities, at any time while driving. Teen drivers can make calls in an emergency but are urged to pull over and park first.

Under the safe driving statute, operators will be cited for using a mobile electronic device for texting or accessing the Internet. First time offenders are subject to a $100 fine. Junior operators observed using a cell phone can also be cited and subject to a $100 fine and the loss of their license for 60 days. Teen offenders will also be required to take a driver retraining course through the National Safety Council.

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles has taken steps to inform drivers about the law since it took effect, including distracted driving messages posted on digital billboards, variable electronic message highway and turnpike signs; on posters and flyers for RMV branches, municipal airports, MBTA buses and trolleys, AAA of Southern New England offices, school nurses, pediatricians and injury prevention programs, along with MBTA platform announcements.

Visit www.mass.gov/rmv for a summary of the law.

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MassDOT Board November Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, November 2, 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.

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