MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
October 18, 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.
Overnight work:
•
•
•
•
•
•
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.
MassDOT is also investigating water infiltration in the ceiling of the I-93 Northbound
Tunnel near Exit 23 (Government Center). MassDOT is inspecting infiltration at this
point because the cause has not been determined. MassDOT is looking at tidal
influences because the infiltration starts and stops. MassDOT monitored the location
during last month’s lunar tide because the last infiltration occurred during a similar
tide. There was no infiltration during last month’s lunar tide. MassDOT is also
investigating whether a recently installed conduit plug has stopped the infiltration.
MassDOT Environmental will also be monitoring the infiltration in an attempt to
determine its cause. It is likely that installation of the conduit plug has stopped the
infiltration, but MassDOT will continue to monitor the infiltration point.
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 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. Another contractor is also inspecting the Eastbound
Tunnel set. A contractor is also inspecting the Zakim Bridge. A contractor is also
inspecting the Prudential Tunnel Westbound and the Ted Williams Tunnel
Westbound.
MassDOT workers are removing ceiling panels at the entrance of the Ted Williams
Tunnel Eastbound. 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 westbound
•
•
•
•
•
•
side. The contractor has completed pull-testing of the ceiling anchors in the
Eastbound Ted Williams Tunnel.
A contractor continued repair work on the roadway surface in the Ted Williams
Tunnel Westbound.
MassDOT workers recalibrated a carbon monoxide monitor and replaced an RPM
sensor in a jet fan near Ramps CS-SA/CT (I-93 Southbound, Exit 24 to Government
Center and Callahan Tunnel).
MassDOT workers replaced a hose on a carbon monoxide monitor that had become
fouled with airborne contaminants. The work occurred in the I-93 Southbound
Tunnel near South Station and Dewey Square.
A contractor finished line striping work begun previously but postponed because of a
mechanical breakdown in the contractor’s equipment. The work occurred in the
vicinity of Ramp L-CS (Leverett Circle to I-93 Southbound).
A contractor performed maintenance work in a manhole on Ramp R-T (Essex Street
to I-93 Northbound). The work required closure of the ramp.
MassDOT replaced a sign in the I-90 Collector Tunnel that had been previously
damaged and removed.