MEMORANDUM
TO: Frank DePaola, Acting Secretary & CEO
RE: Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
DA: November 7, 2014
To follow is a summary of maintenance and construction activities performed last week
and the week before in the Metropolitan Highway System Tunnels.
Overnight work:
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MassDOT closed the I-90 Southbound Tunnel set as part of its regular series of
overnight tunnel closures. The overnight closure allowed maintenance, repair and
cleaning work in areas of the tunnel not normally accessible when traffic is flowing.
This is the last full closure of the season.
Contractors are repairing water infiltration at multiple points within the O’Neill
Tunnel (both directions) and on related ramps. Recent work included slurry wall
repairs and repair and replacement of fireproofing materials.
Water infiltration repair work is also underway in the I-90 Connector Tunnel (both
directions) and the Ted Williams Tunnel Eastbound.
Workers are also repairing water infiltration in the Sumner Tunnel. The contractor
who recently made water infiltration repairs in the Sumner was instructed to make
additional repairs in the same area where water infiltration repair work had already
occurred. Water infiltration had recurred in that segment of the tunnel. The
additional repair work was done at no cost to MassDOT.
A contractor working on behalf of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority is
performing ongoing ceiling-related construction in the Prudential Tunnel. Recent
work included installation of catchment nets and fireproofing materials. This work is
nearing completion.
A contractor working on behalf of the owner of the Prudential Center continued work
on the ceiling of the Prudential Tunnel Westbound. This is a different section of the
ceiling than what has been noted above.
MassDOT workers continue to remove direct-attach ceiling panels in the Ted
Williams Tunnel (both directions). The panels are being removed because the
anchoring system cannot be inspected.
A contractor performed a routine inspection of portions of the I-93 Southbound
Tunnel and related ramps. A contractor also performed a similar inspection on the
Northbound side. Contractors are also inspecting the Eastbound and Westbound
tunnel sets and related ramps. A contractor is also performing a routine inspection of
the “superplug.”
MassDOT workers and contractors are also performing routine inspections of
highway signs, lighting and sign structures. Recent work in the I-90 Eastbound
Tunnel took place during the day.
A contractor is repairing the roadway wearing surface on I-90 Eastbound near Exits
24 A, B and C.
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MassDOT plumbers replaced a sump pump in the Ted Williams Tunnel Westbound.
MassDOT workers replaced seven cases of bulbs and 2 ballasts in the I-90 Eastbound
Tunnel.