MEMORANDUM
TO:
FR:
RE:
DA:
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO
Frank DePaola, Highway Division Administrator
Ongoing Work in the MHS Tunnels
September 21, 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:
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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.
MassDOT inspected the spotlights nearby, found no additional issues, and as a
precaution, installed straps on all 222 of these spotlights at the I-93 Southbound
entrance portal and Dewey Square Tunnel. By next week, MassDOT will install
straps on all fixtures of this type within the tunnels. The strap system is the same
system that MassDOT has deployed for the overhead lights in the tunnel for
approximately a year. The spotlights are generally located in the boat tunnel
section, near the portals, or in the girder systems of the tunnels as part of the
transitional lighting system.
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.
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
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area of the parcel formerly designated for the Columbus Center project. The
contractor also striped a recently repaired section of the roadway.
Water infiltration repair work is ongoing. Recent work involved roadway sealing
on the southbound side of the I-93 Tunnel system.
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.
MassDOT replaced four cases of fluorescent bulbs and one ballast in the CANA
Tunnel Southbound. MassDOT also replaced three cases of fluorescent bulbs and
one ballast in the area of Ramp L-CS (Leverett Circle to I-93 Southbound).
MassDOT held a walk-through in the HOV Tunnel for prospective contractors
interested in bidding on an upcoming lighting contract.