MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
September 28, 2012
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:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Strapping has been completed on all spotlights in the Central Artery/Tunnel
system. As noted in last week’s report, during a routine inspection, MassDOT
discovered that a spotlight near the Southbound portal entry to the O’Neill Tunnel
had a missing clip that could have allowed the light fixture cover to swing open if
not repaired or replaced. While the light was not in danger of falling to the
roadway, further clip failure could have made the light susceptible to a strike from
a large vehicle such as a truck.
Also as noted in last week’s report, in the course of installing straps on spotlights
(see the item above), MassDOT workers discovered a single loose light strap that
was not functioning as intended. MassDOT is in the process of inspecting nearby
straps to determine whether this is a single isolated incident and whether human
error may have caused the strap to become loose. MassDOT has not found any
additional instances where a strap has not functioned as intended.
A contractor continues to work on demolishing the median island between the
Eastbound and Westbound sides of I-90, East of the Prudential Tunnel. The
contractor is also repairing the boat slab nearby and preparing for demolition
work from the other direction. This involves both day and night work.
A contractor continues to repair and replace the spray-on fireproofing material on
the bridge beams in the Dewey Square Tunnel. The contractor is also performing
similar work in the I-93 Northbound Tunnel.
MassDOT is continuing to test standpipes in the I-93 Tunnel. Recent testing
occurred in the I-93 Southbound Tunnel.
A contractor is finishing work in a portion of the Prudential Tunnel. In addition
to ongoing pavement repairs, concrete repairs, boat slab repairs and work on the
base slab and joints, the contractor is restoring and repairing concrete walls in the
area of the parcel formerly designated for the Columbus Center project. The
contractor also striped a recently repaired section of the roadway.
A contractor is continuing substructure repairs in the Storrow Tunnel Westbound
under Leverett Circle. Recent work includes wall panel repairs and lighting
upgrades. Repairs are expected to be complete this fall.
•
•
MassDOT has an ongoing routine inspection underway throughout the tunnel
system. That ongoing inspection will require periodic closures of various parts of
the system to allow for better access by inspectors. Contractors are concentrating
on the Westbound side of the tunnels, including related ramps, plus the Sumner
Tunnel, the Callahan Tunnel and the Ted Williams Tunnel. A contractor is also
inspecting the Prudential Tunnel.
A contractor is in the process of installing a new design that replaces the trench
drain grate covers throughout the tunnel system. The previous covers were prone
to loosening or breaking, and could create hazards by falling into the trench box.
MassDOT has nearly finished installation of the new drains on the Southbound
side. The contractor is now working in the Eastbound and Westbound Tunnels
and associated ramps over the next several weeks. The contractor also tightened
bolts securing the old trench drain covers that have yet to be replaced.