MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
September 4, 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 begun installing a netting system to catch any
debris that could come loose over time as the result of vibrations in the tunnel. The
nets are designed to prevent debris from falling to the roadway. The contractor is also
restoring the median near Arlington Street.
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.
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.
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 to make test borings below the roadway near Dalton Street.
The work is part of the preparation for the future Dalton Street Bridge replacement
project.
Potential bidders for an upcoming contract did a walk-through of the Ted Williams
Tunnel Eastbound. The walk-through required a lane closure.
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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.
MassDOT plumbers continue to charge and test standpipes throughout the MHS
Tunnel system. Recent charging and testing occurred in the Ted Williams Tunnel.
MassDOT workers replaced two power supplies on a Variable Message Sign board in
the I-90 Connector Tunnel Eastbound.
MassDOT workers replaced a power supply and three pixel boards on a VMS board
in the I-93 Northbound Tunnel.
MassDOT workers replaced two failed power supplies on a VMS Board in the I-90
Connector Tunnel Westbound.
MassDOT workers recalibrated a device measuring hydrocarbons in the I-93
Northbound Tunnel.
MassDOT workers spliced a newly-pulled cable in the Sumner Tunnel. The work
required a lane closure.