Interstate 91 Viaduct Rehabilitation Project – Public Meeting Summary
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2016, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA
Project Team:
Rich Masse, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
Ralph Romano, MassDOT
John Donoghue, MassDOT
Donna Feng, MassDOT
Jim Hoey, MassDOT
Patrick J. Paul, MassDOT
Bob Murphy, Joint Venture White-Schiavone
Tim Goodridge, Joint Venture White-Schiavone
Chris Pehl, Joint Venture White-Schiavone
Nancy Farrell, Regina Villa Associates (RVA)
Meeting Purpose
The purpose of the meeting was to update the Greater Springfield community and region about the
ongoing major construction work and road closures that began in mid-December 2015 for Stage 1B of
the I-91 Viaduct Rehabilitation Project. The project team outlined details of the work completed over
the last quarter, including project preparations, road and ramp closures and detour routes, and deck
demolition, and highlighted mitigation and the next phase of work. The team provided information on
alternative travel through MassRIDES and encouraged participants to sign up for progress updates.
Introduction
Nancy Farrell, RVA, opened the meeting and introduced the MassDOT participants and members of the
Joint Venture of White Schiavone attending the meeting. She noted that this was the fourth public
meeting to update the community on progress on the I-91 Viaduct Rehabilitation Project. MassDOT
advertised the meeting in English and Spanish publications; emailed everyone in the project database;
and sent releases to regional media. Ms. Farrell introduced Rich Masse, District Project Development
Engineer, to outline the project’s scope and milestones, and Ralph Romano, Resident Engineer, to
describe construction progress to date.
Rich Masse welcomed the participants and reviewed the presentation agenda. Mr. Masse said the
purpose of the project is to replace the bridge deck of the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield to result in a safer,
more reliable and dependable highway. The project limits are just south of State Street to the vicinity of
the I-291 interchange ramps. Mr. Masse reviewed the project scope: replacement of the deck; repair
and painting of the steel; improved bridge drainage and lighting, on the deck, for the Columbus Ave.
underpass and in the north and south garage; and other safety improvements, such as at the I-291/I-91
merge. He noted the importance of the project’s comprehensive traffic management approach.
Mr. Masse said that MassDOT contracted with the Joint Venture of J.F. White Contracting Co. and
Schiavone Construction, who won the competitive bid for the project.
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Mr. Masse displayed a table with construction milestones and stages. The JV contractor completed
Stage 1A, which included preparing the outer lanes of the bridge deck (two right lanes) to hold through
traffic; reconfiguring local streets, updating signals and preparing detours; constructing the West
Columbus Avenue Extension and a temporary off-ramp from I-91 southbound at Birnie Avenue; utility
work; and installing a real time traffic management system (RTTM).
Stage 1B is ongoing, and the desk has been demolished on 25 spans of the northbound side. In twothree weeks, the contractor will begin replacing the deck. Demolition of the southbound lanes will being
in June, following a similar pattern of demolition and replacement. This work will continue on the
viaduct through the end of the year.
Stage 2 will begin late this fall as the work is completed on the inner lanes. The contractor will open the
inner lanes and begin to demolish the deck on the outer lanes. Mr. Masse noted that Exit 9 (the off ramp
from I-91 North to Route 20 west/Route 20A east to West Springfield/Westfield) will be closed in late
fall of this year for the first part of stage 2
The contract defines the terms that are listed in the construction schedule. Mr. Masse said that most
people are interested in full beneficial use (FBU), which means when the I-291, I-91 and ramp access will
be restored. The contract defines this status as follows:
The majority of the contract work has been completed and the asset(s) has been opened for full
multi-modal transportation use, except for limited contract work items that do not materially
impair or hinder the intended public use of the transportation facility. All anticipated lane
takings have been completed. This includes completion of superstructure work, bridge barrier,
permanent guardrail, removal of temporary concrete barriers, final paving, permanent traffic
markings and signage, permanent lighting.
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Substantial completion includes finish work on surface streets; steel repairs completed; lighting, paving
and traffic markings completed; and all disturbed areas restored.
Field completion has the following definition:
All physical contract Work is complete including punchlist. The Contractor has fully demobilized
from field operations.
Mr. Masse said that the contract includes incentive and disincentive payments related to achievement
of the full beneficial use milestone. The incentive clause provides an award of $50,000 per day of FBU
completion, with a maximum award of $9 million. White Schiavone has set a goal of achieving full
beneficial use early to take advantage of the incentive payments.
Ralph Romano, Resident Engineer, described the work taking place behind the barriers. He reminded the
audience that the inner lanes and median are closed for construction and traffic if moving in the right
and outer lanes. Ramp closures and detours are in place and will remain closed until the Full Beneficial
Use milestone is met. The north entrance to the North Parking Garage is closed, although the exit
remains open.
Mr. Romano said that the deck demolition begin in February. This is a process of removing pavement
and reinforced concrete piece by piece. The contractor uses a hoe ram with an excavator. After the
larger surface areas are open, the work proceeds with saw cutting of the steel reinforcement bars within
the deck.
The work takes place in two shifts: demolition occurs between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and cleanup and
other tasks are managed on the night shift, from 4:00 PM to midnight. The contractor has provided
noise mitigation to the extent possible. Noise control curtains are set up on the fencing, and special
back-up alarms are employed on the equipment, particularly next to the hotels nearby.
Mr. Romano showed a series of progress photos and a video. The photos are included in the project
presentation, which is posted on the website (www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab). He said that
the remaining Stage 1B work includes completing demolition of all the decks; cleaning, priming and
painting the beam top flanges; replacing bridge bearings and pin and hanger connections; then pouring
new concrete decks and barriers over 100 spans of the bridge. The contractor will then install
membrane waterproofing and pave the deck. New signage will be incorporated. Then it will be time to
move to Stage 2 and a new traffic pattern.
Mr. Romano addressed traffic management and the planning done to minimize inconvenience to the
public. The project maintains access to and from I-291 as well as access to downtown and local
businesses using East and West Columbus and Hall of Fame Avenues. MassDOT and the City of
Springfield continue to respond to and analyze any issues that arise. Mr. Romano noted changes made
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at Boland Way at West Columbus. Signals at State Street and Union Street needed repairs. Police details
are set up at key intersections if needed. Monitoring cameras are tied in the City of Springfield’s system.
There is an Incident Response Operations plan, which provides a rapid response tow for accidents or
vehicles broken down on the viaduct.
Stage 2 will become later this fall when traffic is shifted to the new deck and the work zones moves to
the outside lanes. The sequence of work is the same for Stage 2 as it is for Stage 1B: deck demolition,
replacement and associated work.
Mr. Romano showed the audience how the Real Time Traffic Management system works. Sensors along
the roadway monitor the speed and volume of the traffic and calculate the travel time. That is how the
message boards provide live travel time updates. In addition, the system sends traffic alerts to key
personnel and the team has access to the boards to provide special messages if needed. Mr. Romano
showed the screens available to the team. There have been some difficulties with the batteries on the
system due to the cold, and the contractor has had to replace them more frequently than planned.
Mr. Romano said that MassDOT posted a number of detour signs along the viaduct indicating how to
reach locations such as downtown Springfield and the Hall of Fame. Temporary exit 7-6, which takes
drivers to downtown, appears to be working well.
Finally, Mr. Romano reminded the audience of the lower speed limits in the area, which are reduced
from 50 to 45 mph approaching the work area, and are 40 mph in the work zone. Double fines are
included in any violation of the work zone speed limit. The reductions are to protect both the
construction team working in the area and drivers.
Nancy Farrell replaced Taylor Rock from MassRIDES to share some information about the program.
MassRIDES is a free program of MassDOT that is designed to help reduce traffic congestion and improve
air quality and mobility. The team learned in a pre-construction survey that more than 90% of the
respondents drive to work alone. MassRIDES programs – online ride matching, commuter incentives and
an emergency ride home – provide alternatives to solo driving. MassRIDES works with both employers
and commuters in the Springfield area to promote the program. Encouraging mod shift includes options
such as carpooling, transit, bike and telecommuting. These strategies can help reduce traffic congestion,
reduce emissions, and provide less stressful commutes to work. Ms. Farrell showed a list of regional
partner organizations. She encouraged the audience to think about the possibilities for themselves or
their companies and provided Ms. Rock’s contact information.
Public involvement is an important element of the project. In addition to quarterly update meetings,
MassDOT provides:
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An expanded website with traffic and detour information:
www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
Project fact sheets and community or company briefings
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Frequent notices and emails about traffic changes, and responses to inquiries about the project
Use of MassDOT social media
English and translated materials and interpreters available on request.
Ms. Farrell reminded the audience how to contact the team or learn more about the project:
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Sign up on the project website for email information and updates:
www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
Send questions or concerns to: I91viaduct@state.ma.us
Discussion
Ms. Farrell asked if there were any questions or comments on the project.
Paul Marcelina, representing the Sheraton and Marriott Hotels, asked two questions:
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There have been occasions when the construction started before 7 AM, which presents
difficulties for the hotels. Could the start of work be moved to 7:30 AM?
The noise mitigation curtains are basically only at the level of the parking garage and don’t
provide much protection for the hotel guests, who are higher than the third floor, the
approximate level of the work. Could the curtains be higher or something be added to them to
further quiet the work area?
Mr. Romano noted that the issue of start time had been raised and there were a few days when the
work began before 7 AM. MassDOT has clarified that cannot happen. Crews may go to the site and start
up their vehicles, but demolition work can’t begin before 7. He said the contract provides that start
time, and it would be very difficult to change it.
The noise curtains meet the specifications established by the Federal Highway Administration. It is not
likely that the height will be changed. Mr. Romano said the impact equipment has moved past the
hotels for this segment.
Attendance:
Rana Al-Jammal
Eleanor Cress
Kathleen Curran
Jim Czach
Mike Delaney
Mike Fitzgerald
Chris Grimaldi
Jim Kinney
Ken Kuenzel
Gerard Kiernan
Paul Marcelina
Jay Martin
B. Richard
Catherine Ratté
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Mike Tauztik
Travis P. Ward