MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
August 9, 2013
To follow is a summary of maintenance and construction activities performed over the
last week in the Metropolitan Highway System tunnels.
Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
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 has concentrated on the
Northbound side of the tunnel. Additional work occurred in the area of Ramp A-CN
(Atlantic Avenue to I-93 Northbound) and Ramps L and F-L (Exit 20 Northbound to
I-90 Eastbound/Airport and from Northbound Frontage Road to I-90
Eastbound/Airport). In addition, a team is performing inspections of the fireproofing
material in the areas of the Northbound Tunnel where water infiltration repairs are
underway.
A contractor is performing routine inspections of the I-93 Northbound Tunnel, the
Ted Williams Westbound Tunnel and the I-90 Eastbound Tunnel. A contractor is
also inspecting Ramps SA-CS/CT (Surface Artery Southbound at New Chardon
Street to I-93 Southbound and Surface Artery Southbound at New Chardon Street to
the Callahan Tunnel) and CN-S/ST-S (Sumner Tunnel to Storrow Drive). A
contractor is also inspecting the I-90 Connector Tunnel Westbound and related ramps
and the HOV Tunnel and Eastbound tunnel set. These inspections also include
related ramps when appropriate.
A contractor is also inspecting the Southbound side of the O’Neill Tunnel and related
ramps. Recent work occurred in the vicinity of Exit 24 to Government Center and the
Callahan Tunnel.
A contractor is also inspecting the Prudential Tunnel Westbound.
A contractor has completed median repairs in the Prudential Tunnel, except for a few
remaining punchlist items. The contractor continues to seal, grout and paint the
median barrier.
A contractor, working on behalf of Boston Properties, owner of the Prudential Center,
is continuing ceiling repairs in the Prudential Tunnel. Recent work has concentrated
on the ceiling at Exit 22 (Copley Square). That ceiling work is nearing completion.
A contractor is continuing to pull-test the ceiling anchors in the Ted Williams Tunnel
(both directions). The contractor has begun installation of a supplemental ceiling
hanger system. The contractor is also making any necessary adjustments to the
installed supplemental hangers. Pull-testing on the Eastbound side is nearing
completion. The contractor has also begun to remove ceiling panels at the entrance of
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the Eastbound tunnel. 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.
Recent substructure repair work in the Storrow Tunnel Westbound has been focused
on installation of the new lighting system. The contractor has also been replacing
some of the newly installed curbing because of defects. The replacement work is
being done at no cost to MassDOT. That work continues, along with miscellaneous
punchlist items. Workers recently pulled new cable into the tunnel. The cable pull
required closure of Ramp L-CS (Leverett Circle to I-93 Southbound).
MassDOT electricians replaced three cases of lamps and 3 ballasts in the Prudential
Tunnel Eastbound.
MassDOT workers replaced a plastic hose that draws tunnel air for carbon monoxide
monitoring. The work was near Ramp R-T (Essex Street to I-93 Northbound) and
required closure of that ramp and Ramp A-CN (Atlantic Avenue to I-93 Northbound).
A contractor removed delaminated pavement in the Ted Williams Tunnel Eastbound
and replaced it with a rapid-setting concrete product.
MassDOT workers replaced the pixel board on a Variable Message Sign in the I-93
Southbound Tunnel. Workers also performed general maintenance and cleaning of
that sign.
MassDOT workers replaced the power unit on a second VMS board in the same
tunnel, and cleaned that VMS board as well.
The MassDOT operations team performed work related to a traffic study in the
Sumner Tunnel to improve safety by slowing and alerting drivers at the tunnel exit.
The work required an overnight closure of the tunnel.
MassDOT workers removed 3, 2’ x 2’ wooden panels from the ceiling of the I-90
Eastbound Connector Tunnel. The panels had been installed several years ago to
cover the core samples taken as part of the investigation into the tunnel ceiling failure
in that area.