I-91 Viaduct Public Information Meeting
Project File No. 607731
MassDOT Contract No. 85020
December 8, 2015
Agenda
 Update on Construction Activities (Stage 1A)
 Next: Stage 1B starts in December
 Traffic Management & Mitigation
 Public Involvement and Outreach
Project Purpose
To replace the bridge deck of the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield, due to its poor
condition. The result will be a more reliable and dependable highway.
Project Limits
Project Scope
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Rehabilitation includes the following:
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Complete deck replacement
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Painting of structural steel, replacement of bearings, structural steel repairs
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Improved bridge drainage and highway lighting (on the highway, surface streets
under the viaduct, upper levels of the north and south garage, and the Columbus
Avenue railroad underpass)
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Other safety improvements, such as at the I-291/I-91 merge
Comprehensive Traffic Management
The Joint Venture Constructing the Project
J.F. White Contracting Co. – A General Contractor performing heavy
civil work in Massachusetts for over 90 years.
Schiavone Construction Co. – A General Contractor performing
heavy civil work in the northeast region for over 50 years.
Construction Schedule
Milestone
Stage 1A: Surface street preparation, traffic management, RTTM,
pre-emptive deck repairs.
Stage 1B Start: Barrier installation complete, I-91 no. of lanes reduced,
viaduct ramps closed, and detours in effect.
Stage 2 Start: Barrier reset, Stage 1A closures and detours remain, I-91 NB
Exit 9 ramp closure and detour added.
Full Beneficial Use: Majority of contract work complete and lanes/ramps
reopened
Substantial Completion: Majority of roadway and utility work complete.
Activities include structural steel repairs, bridge painting, lighting, municipal
street paving and striping, and site restoration.
Field Completion: Project is complete.
Contractor
Contract Required
Forecasted Date
Date
Currently ongoing
Mid-December
2015
Late Fall 2016
N/A
Late Fall 2017
August 6, 2018
Late Fall 2018
November 6, 2018
February 2019
February 4, 2019
N/A
Right Now: Stage 1A
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Ongoing work:
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Preparing outer lanes of bridge deck to hold
through traffic -COMPLETE
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Reconfiguring local streets; updating signals;
preparing detours -99% Complete
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Construction of West Columbus Avenue
Extension and temporary off-ramp from I-91
SB at Birnie Avenue -COMPLETE

Utility work -COMPLETE
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Installation of Real-Time Traffic Management
System (RTTM) -80% Complete
Stage 1A Progress Photos
Stage 1A Progress Photos
Stage 1A Progress Photos
Remaining Stage 1A Work

I-91 NB & SB Pre-Emptive Repair Work COMPLETE
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Overnight Closures of Exit 8/I-291 Ramp, I-91 NB lanes for Stage 1A widening
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Closure of Birnie Ave Connector to Construct Temporary Ramp 1 from I-91SB COMPLETE
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Clinton Street Closure for Reconstruction & Drainage Improvements COMPLETE
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Milling & Paving of East & West Columbus from Gridiron Street north to I-91/Rte. 20 COMPLETE
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Lane striping, crosswalks, stop bars – East and West Columbus/side streets
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Signal Upgrades & Reconfiguration throughout the project 99% COMPLETE
Next: Stage 1B (Mid-December – Late Fall 2016)
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Inner lanes and median closed for construction of new median and high-speed lanes
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Traffic moved to right/outer lanes
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Reconstruction of I-291 westbound on-ramp to I-91 South
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Ramp closures:
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On-ramp from Birnie Ave/Rte.20 Connector to I-91 South
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Exits 6 and 7 on I-91 South (detour to temporary ramp north of Exit 8)
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On-ramps to I-91 North from State St and Union St (detour to East Columbus Ave)
Closure of north entrance to North Parking Garage, exit remains open
Traffic - Traffic Management (Stage 1B)
*
*On sections north of I-291, NB and SB are separated by grade.
Traffic Management

The design team evaluated several approaches to traffic management within
the roadway constraints. To maximize work space, safety and limit confusion,
there will be two major phases of work. Each phase will result in a reduction of
one lane from the existing configuration.

The project will maintain access to/from I-291
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Designated on/off ramps will be closed in late 2015 until the until late fall of
2017 for operational/safety reasons and to expedite construction
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Access to downtown and local businesses will be maintained using East and
West Columbus and Hall of Fame Avenues
Traffic - Traffic Management (Stage 1B)
Traffic Mitigation
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Initial testing of detours before full closure to observe and make
ad justments, if needed
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Police details at critical intersections during peak periods, if needed
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Comprehensive monitoring program of key corridors/intersections – traffic
plan will be updated based on impacts
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Monitoring cameras tied into the City of Springfield
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Real Time Traffic Management System (RTTM) – continuously updated
message boards to deliver information in real-time.
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Incident Response Operations (IRO)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Stage 2)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Stage 2)
I-91 Northbound Ramp Closures
I-91 Southbound Ramp Closures
Birnie Avenue Closure
New Temporary Signal
I-91 Northbound Detour Routes
I-91 Southbound Detour Routes
Birnie Avenue Alternative Detour Route
Additional Detour Routes
Exit 9 (Route 20) Closure – Stage 2A
Exit 9 (Route 20 Detour)
Stage 2A
Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
Modified Lane Use
and Signal Phasing
Enhanced Connection
and Roadway
Reconstruction
Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
New Traffic Signals
Traffic Mitigation - RTTM
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Message boards w/ live traffic updates
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Traffic alerts to key personnel
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Aid Emergency Responders for efficient response
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Highway Advisory Radio – AM frequency
Traffic Mitigation - RTTM
Traffic Mitigation – RTTM
Detour signs for
Downtown and
attractions
Speed Limits
 Speed reduced from 50 to 45 MPH
approaching the work zone, with 40 mph
limit in the zone
 Double fines in the work zone
 State Police enforcement for driver and
construction team safety
City of Springfield Infrastructure Improvements
Other projects going on in the City of Springfield during 2015-2016
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Casino Construction
North Main Street Reconstruction (MassDOT)
Sumner / Allen / Abbott and Harkness St
Reconfiguration - DONE
Boston Road (July 1, 2015) - DONE
Roosevelt Avenue / Island Pond Road Intersection
realignment
Finishing 2014 Roadway Improvement (Paving) Project
- DONE
Starting 2015 $4 Million Road Bond Roadway
Improvement (Paving) Project - DONE
Yearly Chapter 90 ($3-$4 Million) Roadway
Improvement (Paving) Program
Completion of SWSC“21 Street” Water Main and Sewer
Main Improvement Program
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SWSC /CMA Utility Improvement Program
(Neighborhood Based)
SWSC Mill Street Sewer Main Improvement Project
Bay St. / Berkshire Avenue Intersection
Improvements
Cottage St. / Berkshire Ave. Intersection
Improvements
PVTA Bus Storage / Maintenance Facility (Cottage
St.)
CRRA Subway Car Facility (Page Boulevard)
CDBG-DRRoadway – Six Corners, Marble St., and
Central St.
The “X” Improvements
City of Springfield Infrastructure Improvements
Casino Construction – What will be happening soon?
• City Council – Zone Change, Overlay District, Site
Plan, Discontinuances
• Installation of Fencing
• Building Demolition
• Infrastructure – Temporary and Cut-offs
• On and Off Street Parking Modifications
• Tenant Relocation
• Site Development Phasing – Access, Utilities,
Material Storage, Laydown Areas, Construction
Materials, etc.
Travel Without Limits
Taylor Rock
MassRIDES Programs
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Online Ride Matching
Commuter Incentives
Emergency Ride Home
NuRide.com/MassRIDES
Encouraging Mode Shift
MassRIDES = Statewide Travel Options Program
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Carpool, vanpool, transit, bike, walk, telework
Reduce traffic congestion
Reduce emissions
Employers - outreach and worksite services
Commuters - ridematching, incentives, promotions and marketing
Policies & Initiatives
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Reduce Green House Gas emissions
Reduce drive-alone trips
Active transportation choices
Increase bicycle and pedestrian travel
Sustainable transportation practices
Smart growth development
MassRIDES Outreach
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325+ partner organizations, including:
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MassMutual, Baystate Medical Center, American International College, City of
Springfield, Peter Pan Bus Company, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Pioneer Valley
Transit Authority, Springfield Technical Community College, United PersonnelSpringfield, Western New England University, Westfield State University
465,000+ commuters
Worksite focus – commute travel
MassRIDES Employer Outreach Services
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Commute Options Programs
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Foundation/
Educational 
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Onsite Support/ 
Added Visibility 
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Policy/
Financial 
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Marketing – newsletters, orientations
Emergency Ride Home
Onsite events
Preferential parking
Bike racks, showers, lockers
Transit passes available
Monthly promotions
Transit, vanpool subsidies
Formal telework, CWW
Pre-tax benefits
Shuttle, carshare
Incentives
Results of MassDOT Commuter Survey
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MassDOT conducted an online survey about travel habits
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April to May 2014
2,995 respondents
94% use the identified travel routes (I-91, I-291, East Columbus
Avenue or Hall of Fame Avenue) for their work commute
39% say they have some flexibility in their hours
Most drive alone (96%) and park at their workplace (87%)
Most popular departure time is between 4:30 and 5:30 PM
Taylor Rock
taylor.rock@dot.state.ma.us
857-368-8654
www.commute.com
Public Involvement

Quarterly update meetings
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Expanded project website www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab

Project fact sheets & community briefings
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Notices and e-blasts on traffic changes during construction
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Project updates on social media
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Written notice was provided to area abutters and sensitive receptors
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English and translated materials and interpreters available upon request
How to Contact Us
 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
THANK YOU!
Questions?