MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
December 20, 2013
To follow is a summary of maintenance and construction activities performed last week
in the Metropolitan Highway System tunnels.
Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
Tunnel Lighting Update:
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MassDOT is in the process of procuring approximately 25,000 new lights in the
O’Neill, Ted Williams and I-90 Connector Tunnels.
Nine vendors have participated in the procurement process. Six vendors submitted
proposals and four have been shortlisted.
The lighting replacement will include energy-efficient LED lights, with a cost savings
of 43% and an energy consumption savings of 45%.
MassDOT will select one to three manufacturers, under a pilot program, on January
10, 2014. We anticipate executing the prototype lighting purchase contracts on
January 19, 2014.
There will be separate contracts for lighting installation. There will be one contract
for lighting installed under the pilot program. That contract will be executed later in
2014. We anticipate advertising a full-system installation contract in January of
2016, with a completion date to be determined as the pilot procurement progresses.
During this overall process, we will also evaluate whether new lights need to be
installed in the Prudential, CANA, Callahan and Sumner Tunnels.
Overnight work:
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Surveyors are installing survey plaques in the Prudential Tunnel Eastbound. The
plaques, similar to others previously installed in MHS tunnels, are used as location
indicators during inspections. That work is ongoing.
Contractors are repairing water infiltration at multiple points within the O’Neill
Tunnel (both directions) and on related ramps. In addition, a team is inspecting and
repairing the fireproofing material in various areas where water infiltration repairs are
underway.
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 Boston Properties, owner of the Prudential Center,
is continuing ceiling repairs in the Prudential Tunnel (both directions). That work is
nearing completion.
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A contractor, preparing for a future project to expand Copley Place, made borings in
the roadway in the Prudential Tunnel (both directions) to determine the composition
of the underlying earth. The borings are now complete.
A contractor is performing a routine inspection of the Southbound side of the O’Neill
Tunnel and related ramps. A different contractor is undertaking a similar inspection
in the Northbound tunnel set. A contractor is also inspecting the Ted Williams
Tunnel (both directions) and has completed the inspection on the Eastbound side. A
contractor is also inspecting the Sumner Tunnel.
A contractor performed a routine inspection of the Northbound CANA Tunnel, while
MassDOT performed a similar inspection on the Southbound side.
MassDOT inspectors performed a routine inspection of the tunnel under Leverett
Circle.
MassDOT workers are removing ceiling panels in the Ted Williams Tunnel (both
directions). These panels are in place at the entrance and exit portals to the tunnel.
The panels are attached directly to the ceiling and they are being removed as a
precaution because there is no way to monitor the connection between the panel and
the tunnel ceiling. The contractor has completed removal on the Westbound side,
except for a few isolated panels that also support lights. Electricians must first
remove the lights so that the panels can be removed and the lights can be replaced.
Work is about 70% complete on the Eastbound side.
A contractor performed preparatory work in the Prudential Tunnel (both directions) in
advance of the upcoming Hynes Convention Center ceiling repair project. Recent
work was focused on conduit installation.
A contractor is continuing preparatory work for the upcoming full closure of the
Callahan Tunnel. The work required a lane closure in the tunnel. The full tunnel
closure will begin December 27.
A private contractor performed preventive maintenance on a billboard structure at the
exit portal from the Sumner Tunnel. The work required closure of Ramp ST-S
(Sumner Tunnel to Storrow Drive).
A contractor working on the Callahan Tunnel Vent Building installed containers on
either side of the boat wall sections of the Callahan Tunnel entry portal. The
containers will act as a temporary roof while the contractor works on the exterior of
the Vent Building.