Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. recently received word from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) that the Alford Street Bridge Project is set to start on November 8. The three year project to restore the bridge will coincide with the upcoming reconstruction of Lower Broadway corridor of Route 99.
The bridge construction calls for a reduction in lanes, which will snarl traffic along the heavily traveled roadway. The Mayor is encouraging all motorists to seek alternate routes. Mayor DeMaria is pressing Transportation officials and the State House delegation to provide relief to Everett residents who will temporarily need to use the Tobin Bridge for access into Boston.
No official project timetable for the reconstruction of Route 99 (Lower Broadway) is available as the project is in final stages of design. The City expects the bidding process for the reconstruction to start before the end of the year.
Mayor DeMaria will hold a Community Meeting with residents and businesses along the Lower Broadway corridor to discuss the construction timetable, traffic shifts, and the impacts to the community. Dates and times for the community meeting will be established as soon as the qualified contractors are chosen.
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1 2 Next »Some bright mind changed the light cycle at Beacham causing a daily snarls traffic every morning southbound, and Northbound in the evening. And now, they're going to make it worst? Could not the same bright mind pose that repairs be made at night so not to affect traffic?
Someone should really investigate why it is going to cost 58 million dollars to refurbish the bridge. They don't even plan to replace it. Something is wrong here. A steel bridge is the cheapest thing to build, especially one that is only 100yards long...where is all this money going. It looks like we now have a "little" big dig on our hands. My grandfather could build a bridge quicker with a wheelbarrel and a trowel.
they're going to spend all this money on a bridge that will probably still have weight limit issues & most likely continue to not enforce the 18 wheelers that contantly travel across it. basically wasting all the money fixing it. they should charge the companies that abuse it for the repairs
they're going to spend all this money on a bridge that will probably still have weight limit issues & most likely continue to not enforce the 18 wheelers that contantly travel across it. basically wasting all the money fixing it. they should charge the companies that abuse it for the repairs
1.) A trip from Everett Square to Sullivan Station now takes 45 minutes. Nice to see people not taking alternate routes. Did the Mayor think people would really listen?
2.) Everett Police working detail to direct traffic....is this supposed to make our commute better because I don't see them doing much to help the situation?
3.) 2 1/2 more years of this crap.
There is no alternative ways to Boston that are less jamed in a morning. How about getting the relief to use Tobin bridge that Mayor promised?
Last thing we needed. And the route to jump on 93 N is closed now too. Thanks Mayor. This should ensure your re-election!
This commute is getting really frustrating, 20-30 minutes to go 1 frigging mile. I've tried every alternate route and the Tobin was okay, but now they are doing construction on the Tobin and it too has a reduced lane. Fabulous planning by all.
I got this response via email on Aug 13...
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Dear Mr. XXX,
Thank you for your email. The contractor is currently completing Phase
II construction of the west bridge approaches and testing and balancing
the west drawbridge span. We are also addressing utility delays at the
south abutment. Date of traffic switch is to be determined.
Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.
Best regards,
MassDOT, Highway Division
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So, the original schedule said that Stage 4 - April 12, 2012 - Mar 31, 2013,
basically completion of West side and work on the East side was supposed to be going on now.
to me, that says the project is 4+ months behind schedule. Which would push out completion from May 6 2013 to Sept 6 2013. Another Winter, Spring and Summer of a two lane bridge.
OK, I contacted them again...
Due to unforeseen difficulties with the south end of the bridge, the anticipated completion is now "April 2014".
What a fun summer it is going to be. Not.
Tobin bridge repainting is also going to take about 3 years.
Oops, sorry. That was "Summer 2014" which usually translates into "October or maybe before Xmas".
If only this bridge were over the Charles and connected to Cambridge - it would have been done before the original scheduled completion date. i.e. now.
Here was the original schedule:
Contract allows traffic restrictions for a cumulative period of 805 Calendar
Days
The work is divided into 5 Stages:
o Stage I November 2, 2010- December 16,2010
• Temporary steel repairs on bascule span
• Re-work median I install new guardrail
• Install temporary bridge controls
• Prepare for traffic shift
o Stage 2 December 17, 2010 - March I 5, 20 I 2
• Restrict traffic to two lanes, shift to the east side
• Demolish Superstructure I Bascule I Substructure
• Re-build Substructure I Superstructure
• Install Submarine Cable
• Erect New Bascule Span (I Ill I- 3112)
o Stage 3 March 15,2012- April 12, 2012
• Restore traffic to both sides
• Reconstruct roadway, install cross-over for phase 4
• Night Paving
o Stage 4 April12, 2012- March 31, 2013
• Restrict traffic to two lanes, shift to west side
• Demolish Superstructure I Bascule I Substructure
• Re-build Substructure I Superstructure
• Erect New Bascule Span (11111--- 311Jl
o Stage4A March31,2013-May6,2013
• Restore traffic to 4 lanes
• Remove temporary roadway cross-over
• Construct final Approach Roadway
• Night Paving