Design Public Hearing Presentation
Project File No. 607731
May 20, 2014
Design Public Hearing Agenda

Project Introduction, Purpose, Need, Limits and Scope

Bridge Data & Construction

Results of the Employee & Commuter Survey

Traffic Management & Mitigation

Bridge Details

Public Involvement

Next Steps
Introduction
 The Rehabilitation Project will replace the deck of the I-91 Viaduct, which
is in poor condition, to reduce repair cost, increase safety and accessibility
 It is starting ahead of a study of long-term Alternatives for the Viaduct,
which will begin this summer
 The Alternatives Study will have a robust outreach program; investigate
alternatives; and look to permitting, funding and construction options –
all long-term activities (possibly more than a 10 year process)
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 Need
 The I-91 Viaduct is a critical part of the Interstate Highway System and
closing this structure would have significant impacts to western MA.
 Annual maintenance to the bridge deck is increasing
 MassDOT wants to be proactive in maintaining the reliability of this
roadway and extending the structure’s service life.
Project Limits
The term “Viaduct” is defined as a long, high bridge that
carries a road over other roads or features
Project Scope

Award the Springfield Viaduct Rehabilitation Project Nov. 2014

Rehabilitation Project includes the following:


Complete deck replacement

Painting of structural steel, replacement of bearings, structural steel repairs

Improve bridge drainage and highway lighting

Other safety improvements, such as I-291/I-91 merge
Comprehensive Traffic Management
Bridge Data
 Bridge was built in the late 1960’s
 I-91 Northbound and I-291 EB Ramp represent 67 spans and approx.
321,000 SF of bridge deck
 I-91 Southbound and I-291 WB Ramp represent 62 spans and approx.
293,000 SF of bridge deck
 The structure is approximately 4,400 feet in length
Construction

The use of Accelerated Bridge Construction is proposed.

ABC reduces mobility impacts and improves work zone safety

Prefabricated elements are made off-site and shipped to the jobsite

Allows for two major construction stages

The use of prefabricated elements will reduce the overall construction duration
(goal is to reduce construction time by ½)

Preliminary duration is 5-6 construction seasons (conventional construction)
Employee/Commuter Survey
To gather information from those who use I-91 and I-291 on a regular basis,
learning about destinations, flexibility and routes
Survey Open 4/2 – 5/1
 Suggested by City, Chamber and other business leaders, English &
Spanish versions prepared
 2,995 people accessed the questionnaire (18 in Spanish)
 Top referrer sites: direct link to the survey (2,234); direct MassDOT email
(352) and media sources (264)
 Snapshot of driver travel habits, destinations, commute lengths, flexibility
(or lack of flexibility), and information sources
Who responded?
 94% use the travel routes listed in the survey: I-91 (80%); I-291 (46%) and
East Columbus Ave. or Hall of Fame Ave. (40%)
 94% use these routes for their work commute and 79% work in
Springfield
 Most drive alone (96%) and park at their workplace (86%)
 Of 318 drivers who don’t park at their workplace, 45% park at the I-91
garage
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
Information Sources
 Most get information from newspaper/radio/TV (66.1%)
 Family or friends, employer and other means are the next most popular
 There are 48 pages of open-ended comments!
Traffic – Existing Conditions

Interstate 91 traffic volumes (collected during highest months of traffic volume)

Weekdays: 72,000 ADT

Weekends: 54,000 ADT

I-91 AM peak traffic volumes range between 2,800-4,500 vph per direction

I-91 PM peak traffic volumes range between 3,100-5,700 vph per direction

Individual I-291 ramps process between 1,300-1,800 vph during peak hours

Three (3) lanes per direction with numerous ramps within project area

Traffic consists of approximately 1/3 regional, 1/3 to/from I-291, and 1/3 local trips
Traffic – Traffic Management Approach

Numerous traffic management approaches evaluated

Existing physical constraints (roadway width) limited options

Limited duration of construction/impacts preferred – 2 stage approach proposed

Two-lanes in each direction to be maintained on I-91

Maintain access to/from I-291

Selected ramps to be closed for operational/safety reasons and to expedite construction

Access to downtown and local businesses will be maintained utilizing East Columbus and HOF

Primary detours to utilize East Columbus and HOF Avenues
Traffic -
Traffic Management Approach
(Stage 1)
(Stage
1)
Traffic - Traffic Management Approach
Traffic -
Traffic Management Approach
(Stage 2)
Traffic -
Traffic Management Approach
(Stage 2)
Traffic – Traffic Impacts

2-lane I-91 can process approximately 3,500 vph per direction – adequate
capacity for all but peak hours of travel
I-91 Northbound On and Off Ramp Locations
On-ramp from East Columbus Ave/Union Street
On-ramp north of State Street
I-91 Southbound on and off Ramp Locations
On-Ramp from Route 20
Off-Ramp to Columbus Ave/Downtown Springfield/Boland Way (exit 7)
Off-Ramp to Union Street (exit 6)

Weekday
Morning
Peak Hour
Ramp
820
250
Weekday
Evening
Peak Hour
Ramp
955
650
Weekend
Evening
Peak Hour
Ramp
583
279
325
790
490
615
630
455
231
306
261
Displaced ramp volumes represent worst case - anticipate decrease in volume
related to construction
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 – Traffic Impacts/Mitigation

Comprehensive analysis to identify impacts to local streets/intersections completed

Anticipate increased congestion primarily on East Columbus and HOF Avenues

Critical Intersections:

East Columbus Avenue at Boland Way

HOF at Boland Way and Memorial Bridge

East Columbus Avenue at Hampden Street

East Columbus Avenue at Liberty Street (unsignalized)

HOF Ave at West Union and Union Street

HOF Avenue at State Street
Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
Modified Lane Use
and Signal Phasing
Enhanced Connection
and Roadway
Reconstruction
Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mitigation
 Additional Mitigation

Police Details at critical intersections during peak periods

Comprehensive monitoring program of key corridors/intersections

Monitoring Cameras

Real Time Traffic Management System (RTTM)

Incident Response Operations (IRO)
Construction Impacts
 Two parking structures exist within the
project limits
 The use of ABC will reduce the impacts
to the parking structures
 Temporary closures of certain areas will
be required
 Coordination with other projects in the
project area.
Bridge Details
Bridge Details
Bridge Details
Bridge Details
Bridge Details
Bridge Details
Looking Forward
 Finalize the following:

Design of Traffic Mitigation

Design of Highway Safety Improvements

Design of Bridge Elements

Environmental Permitting

Continued Public Involvement
Public Involvement
 Seeking stakeholder review of traffic and design plans
 Project website www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
 Project fact sheet
 Community briefings
 Providing for English and Spanish materials and interpreters
 Notices and eblasts on traffic changes during construction
How to Contact Us
 Sign up on the project website: www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
 Submit comments or questions to the Project Manager, Michael O’Dowd,
Massachusetts Highway Department, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA, 02116,
857-368-9292
 Or email: Michael.O’Dowd@state.ma.us