MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
December 6, 2013
To follow is a summary of maintenance and construction activities performed over the
last two last weeks in the Metropolitan Highway System tunnels.
Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
Overnight work:
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MassDOT closed the Eastbound Prudential Tunnel at Exit 22 (Copley Square) to
allow routine bridge and tunnel inspections, and for various ongoing construction and
maintenance projects in The Prudential Tunnel. The closure also allowed for snow
fence installation.
Surveyors installed survey plaques in the Prudential Tunnel Eastbound. The plaques,
similar to others previously installed in MHS tunnels, are used as location indicators
during inspections.
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 the areas of the Southbound Tunnel 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.
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.
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). A contractor is also inspecting the Sumner Tunnel.
MassDOT workers are removing ceiling panels at the entrance of the Ted Williams
Tunnel Westbound. 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 is also removing similar tiles on the Eastbound
side. The contractor has completed pull-testing the ceiling anchors in the Ted
Williams Tunnel.
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A contractor continued repair work on the roadway surface in the Ted Williams
Tunnel Westbound. This work has been shut down for the winter.
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. Workers also installed line striping in the
median crossovers.
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 this month.
MassDOT workers replaced a portion of an AM rebroadcast antenna that had
loosened. The work occurred in the I-93 Southbound Tunnel near Dewey Square.
Workers also replaced a failing transmitting unit in the area.
A contractor escorted engineers working on a surface development over the tunnel
into the exhaust plenum of the I-93 Southbound Tunnel so that the engineers could
examine the tunnel construction.
MassDOT workers escorted potential vendors through the Prudential Tunnel
Westbound in preparation for future communications work.
MassDOT workers performed routine cleaning and preventative maintenance in the
Callahan Tunnel pump stations.
MassDOT workers replaced four cases of bulbs in the Prudential Tunnel Westbound.
MassDOT workers repaired the pan, tilt, zoom unit on a camera in the Ted Williams
Tunnel Eastbound, near Exit 26.