Construction Update – August 2014
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation
Project began in July 2013 when the Boston-bound side of the bridge was closed to all modes of travel
for demolition. One lane of traffic carries vehicles into Boston using the former Cambridge-bound,
downstream side; a bike lane in each direction is provided on the roadway; and pedestrians continue to
use the sidewalk. Cambridge-bound traffic is being detoured using a signed route from Charles Circle
to Land Boulevard using Leverett Circle and
Monsignor O’Brien Highway/Route 28
(Charles River Dam Road). Construction hours
are generally 7 AM to 3:30 PM, with nighttime
work scheduled as needed. On a few weekends
each year, the MBTA Red Line trains are
replaced by buses between Kendall
Square/MIT Station and Park Street Station.
The contractor has requested one weekend in
October 2014. The date will be announced
when approved by the MBTA. Project details
and detour maps can be found on the website
at www.mass.gov/massdot/longfellowbridge.
Email advisories are distributed announcing
detours, lane closures and major construction
milestones, so be sure to sign up on the
website.
View toward Cambridge
Summary of Progress:
Rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction activities are taking place at various locations along the
Boston-bound side of the bridge. Activities include removing concrete sidewalk and deck slabs;
removing granite stairways and walls; installing
new steel elements; and blasting, priming and
painting steel that will remain in place. Deck
removal and replacement with the gantry crane is
progressing from Cambridge toward Boston.
Removal of the iconic “salt and pepper” towers
on the upstream side of the bridge in Boston and
Cambridge was completed in June. The contractor
is now reinforcing the piers in preparation for
replacing the towers in late 2014/early 2015. The
realigned Mugar Way off-ramp from Storrow
Drive eastbound to Charles Circle has been
Realigned Mugar Way off-ramp from Storrow Drive
eastbound
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opened to traffic, making way for additional project activities in that location.
The following is a summary of work completed to date, a description of ongoing construction and a
look at upcoming activities that will take place over the next few months. All work reported is for
demolition and rehabilitation of the Boston-bound (upstream) side of the bridge. Bridge spans are
numbered beginning with spans 13 and 12 at Memorial Drive in Cambridge progressing across the
Charles River to Span 1 over Storrow Drive eastbound in Boston. Pier 10 is located in the Charles
River in Cambridge and Pier 1 is located in Boston between Storrow Drive east and westbound.
Work Completed Since April 2014:
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Steel girders installed on upstream side of Span
12 over Memorial Drive westbound
Seismic reinforcement completed within Piers
10, 9, 8 and 7
Pier 5 tower removed (Boston side)
Granite parapet and stairs removed at Boston
abutment stairway and wing wall
Drilled shafts installed at Pier 6 in Cambridge
and Pier 5 in Boston for tower foundation
support
Arch girders blasted and primed for start of
steel repairs at all spans except 5, 2 and 1
Concrete sidewalks to Pier 5 removed (work
progresses from Cambridge toward Boston)
Pier 6 reinforced steel base slab
Gantry crane supports and rails extended to Pier
5 (from Cambridge side)
Concrete deck slabs removed up to Pier 6 (from Cambridge side)
Steel framing and columns removed from Spans 11, 10, 9 and 8
Steel repairs completed in Span 11
Traffic shifted onto realigned Mugar Way off-ramp
Concrete placed for Span 12 deck and sidewalk on upstream side over Memorial Drive westbound
Ongoing Work:
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Formwork and rebar for Span 12 deck
Spans 5, 3 and 2 arch girder containment
setup, blast and prime for repairs (Boston
side)
Seismic reinforcement at interior of Piers
6 through 1
Steel repairs in Span 10
Cast iron handrail and fascia restoration
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Upcoming Work:
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Continue concrete deck demolition and steel column removal from Span 6 toward the Boston
abutment
Extension of gantry crane supports to Pier 1
Steel erection and concrete deck placement at Span 11 (over eastbound Memorial Drive) and Span
10 (over Charles River)
Steel girder repairs at Spans 9 and 8
Deck placement on Pier 6
For more information about the project, visit the website at www.mass.gov/massdot/longfellowbridge.
For questions or to report issues related to construction, please call the project hotline at 617-519-9892
or email longfellowbridge@state.ma.us.
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