MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
September 26, 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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MassDOT closed the Ted Williams Tunnel and the I-90 Westbound Connector
Tunnel overnight to allow construction, maintenance and other work in areas of the
tunnel not normally accessible while traffic is flowing. This is part of MassDOT’s
regular series of full overnight closures. MassDOT also closed two lanes in the
Westbound Prudential Tunnel on the same night for the same reason.
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.
MassDOT continued the Callahan Tunnel rehabilitation with repairs to the tunnel
wall and installation of the wall panel support system. The tunnel re-opened in
March; rehabilitation work continues with periodic lane closures and occasional full
closures as needed. The contractor is continuing installation of polymer concrete wall
panels.
A contractor removed the temporary ceiling placed at the boat section near the
entrance portal of the Callahan Tunnel. The temporary ceiling was in place as a
shielding mechanism during the rehabilitation project. The work required rolling lane
closures.
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.
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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.
MassDOT workers have resumed removal of direct-attach ceiling panels in the Ted
Williams Tunnel Eastbound. The panels are being removed because of the difficulty
in inspecting the fastening system.
A contractor took additional 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 continued charging and testing standpipes throughout the MHS
Tunnel System. Recent work occurred in the Eastbound Connector Tunnel.
MassDOT workers replaced four cases of bulbs in the Prudential Tunnel Eastbound.