MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
October 10, 2014
To follow is a summary of maintenance and construction activities performed last week
in the Metropolitan Highway System Tunnels.
Overnight work:
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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.
A contractor working on behalf of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority is
performing ongoing ceiling-related construction in the Prudential Tunnel. The
contractor is also installing new fireproofing materials. The contractor continues to
repair the walls and remove supplemental steel and concrete, which requires periodic
lane closures. The contractor has also removed the sub-ceiling and is making repairs
in that area as well.
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.
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 continued repairs to the roadway wearing surface near the entry portal of
the Ted Williams Tunnel Westbound. The contractor is also making similar repairs at
the Eastbound entry portal.
A contractor continued repair work on a barrier in the Ted Williams Tunnel
Westbound. The barrier is being demolished and replaced. The work is necessary
because of ordinary wear and tear over the life of the tunnel, complicated by the
freeze-thaw cycle. The barrier is near expansion joints, and the shifting of the joints
was a contributing factor as well. Those joints are being repaired and replaced.
A contractor completed test borings near the Dalton Street Bridge as part of a design
project for the future replacement of the bridge. The work required lane closures in
the Prudential Tunnel Westbound.
MassDOT workers replaced four cases of bulbs and 3 ballasts in the HOV Tunnel.
MassDOT workers checked and sampled water levels in supply plenums in the I-93
Northbound Tunnel. The work required a lane closure.
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MassDOT millwrights performed routine maintenance to the fan dampers and
linkages in a fan room in the Westbound Prudential Tunnel.