Pre-Construction Public Hearing Presentation
Project File No. 607731
MassDOT Contract No. 85020
June 25, 2015
Pre-Construction Hearing Agenda
 Review of Project Purpose, Need, Limits and Scope
 Traffic Management & Mitigation
 Next Steps: Construction begins in early July, phase 1 in late 2015
 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
A “viaduct” is a long, high bridge that carries a road over
other roads or features
Project Scope

After a competitive process, MassDOT awarded the Springfield Viaduct Rehabilitation Project to
the Joint Venture of J.F. White and Schiavone Construction Company (White-Schiavone, JV)

Rehabilitation Project includes the following:


Complete deck replacement

Painting of structural steel, replacement of bearings, structural steel repairs

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)

Other safety improvements, such as at the I-291/I-91 merge
Comprehensive Traffic Management
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.
Recent Projects -
Chicopee - Deady Memorial Bridge
Recent Projects -
Springfield
- Parker Street
Recent Projects -
Westfield - Great River Bridge
Recent Projects -
Deerfield - I-91over Deerfield River
Traffic Management Approach

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

Designated on/off ramps will be closed in late 2015 until the summer of 2018 for
operational/safety reasons and to expedite construction

Access to downtown and local businesses will be maintained using East and West
Columbus and Hall of Fame Avenues
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Phase 1)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Phase 1)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Phase 2)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Phase 2)
I-91 Northbound Ramp Closures
I-91 NB Detour
I-91 Southbound Ramp Closures
I-91S/I-291 WB Detour
Birnie Avenue Closure
Birnie Avenue Detour
Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
Modified Lane Use
and Signal Phasing
Enhanced Connection
and Roadway
Reconstruction
Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
New Traffic Signals
Traffic Mitigation

Police Details at critical intersections during peak periods

Comprehensive monitoring program of key corridors/intersections –
traffic plan will be updated based on impacts

Monitoring Cameras tied into the City of Springfield

Real Time Traffic Management System (RTTM) - signage

Incident Response Operations (IRO)
Traffic Mitigation - RTTM

Message Boards w/ Live Traffic Updates

Traffic Alerts to Key Personnel

Aid Emergency Responders for efficient response

Highway Advisory Radio
Traffic Mitigation - RTTM
Traffic Mitigation – RTTM
Construction Impacts
 Temporary closing of certain areas of
the garage
 Coordination with other projects in the
work area
Next Steps: Preliminary Work – Local Roads
 Preliminary work begins early in July through the summer
 Includes utility work, intersection timing improvements and construction
of the Birnie Ave off Ramp & West Columbus Ave extension
 Milling & Paving Portions of East & West Columbus Ave
 Work will be completed in the fall prior to Phase 1 traffic shift on I-91 &
ramp closures
Next Steps: Preliminary Work - I-91 NB & SB
 Milling the existing asphalt wearing surface, concrete deck repairs and
paving a new wearing surface.
 Nightly lane closures of I-91 NB & SB required
 This work will be performed to prevent traffic delays caused by deck
deterioration once Phase 1 shift occurs.
 Work will be completed in the fall prior to Phase 1 traffic shift on I-91 &
ramp closures
Public Involvement

Pre-Construction public hearing (June 2015) and quarterly update meetings

Written notice to area abutters and sensitive receptors

Project website www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab

Project fact sheets & community briefings

Providing for English and Spanish materials and interpreters

Notices and e-blasts on traffic changes during construction

Project Updates on Social Media
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: amedeiros@jfwhite.com
 Call or email the Joint Venture at 413-562-0569 or
amedeiros@jfwhite.com
 Thank You for Attending!
Preliminary Survey Results
 As of April 22: 2,728 people had accessed the survey (their data is
contained in this analysis); 15 in Spanish
 As of April 28: 2,929 responses
 Top referrer sites: direct link to the survey; a direct email from MassDOT;
and links from media sources which publicized the survey
Commuter Statistics from Survey
 93% use the travel routes listed in the survey: I-91 (80%); I-291 (47%) and
East Columbus Ave. or Hall of Fame Ave. (40%)
 94% use these routes for their work commute and 78.8% work in
Springfield
 Most drive alone (96%) and park at their workplace (87%)
 Of 274 drivers who don’t park at their workplace, half park at the I-91
garage
Where they come from
The Commute
 85% arrive between 7 am and 9 am; most popular arrival times are
between 7:30 and 8:30 am
 65% have a commute of less than 30 minutes
 40% say they have some flexibility in their hours
 Most popular departure time is between 4:30 and 5:30 pm