December 2015
THE PROJECT
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is replacing
the deck of the I-91 Viaduct, an elevated structure in Springfield, MA. The
I-91 Viaduct Rehabilitation Project will progress on an accelerated schedule
to minimize traffic impacts and reduce construction duration. The project
will improve safety and accessibility on this busy interstate highway,
reduce annual maintenance costs, and ensure long-term service. MassDOT
signed a $148 million contract with the Joint Venture of White-Schiavone
(JV) in May 2015. The project will receive 80% of its funding from the
Federal Highway Administration and 20% from the Commonwealth.
The southern limit of the project includes I-91 just south of State Street. The
northern limit of the work is in the vicinity of the I-291 interchange ramps.
Rehabilitation of various on and off ramps between these limits and the
I-291 ramp structures is included in this project. The completed bridge
cross-section will be similar to the existing bridge width, with a wider left
shoulder, the same number of travel lanes, and a wider right shoulder.
MassDOT will provide new lighting on the structure, upper parking garage
levels, and surface streets below. The contractor will replace the entire
bridge deck, make repairs to and paint structural steel and bearings,
and install a new drainage system. Other safety improvements will be
included at the I-291/I-91 Interchange, including construction of a barrier
to stop I-291 traffic from weaving across I-91 south to access Exit 7 for the
Memorial Bridge and downtown.
BACKGROUND
Project Area Map
The elevated viaduct carries I-91 through Springfield,
with the I-291Interchange to the north and State Street
to the south. I-91 has an Average Daily Traffic volume
of approximately 75,000 vehicles per day, with 90,000
vehicles using the I-91/I-291 Interchange. The viaduct
is the primary north-south route between Connecticut,
Massachusetts and Vermont, and it experiences extensive
vacation traffic during summer and winter weekends.
The existing viaduct was built in the late 1960s and
generally consists of a concrete deck slab supported on
steel girders. The girders are supported by steel pier caps,
column piers, and footings with pile foundations. Several
rehabilitation projects were performed on the structure over
the past 25 years; however, in recent inspections, MassDOT
found the bridge deck to be in need of replacement.
Please visit the project website for details at
www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
The deck replacement will take place in two major phases,
known as Stage 1 and 2, with preparation and completion
activities for each phase. MassDOT will manage traffic
during construction through a combination of lane closures
and shifts to establish work zones on the interior and then
exterior of the north and southbound viaduct to complete
the work.
Stage 1A: July 2015 to Winter 2015/16
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The Joint Venture of White-Schiavone (JV) made repairs
to the viaduct deck to prepare the two outer lanes
of I-91 north and southbound to handle traffic while
rehabilitation of the inner lanes takes place during
Stage 1B. (See photo below)
•
Local roads were reconfigured to prepare for increased
traffic volume.
•
Construction of West Columbus Avenue Extension will
help improve detour traffic flow.
•
The contractor built a temporary off-ramp from I-91
southbound at Birnie Avenue. It will carry traffic onto
local streets to reach downtown Springfield.
•
Implementation of a Real Time Traffic Management
System with message boards will help inform travelers
and reduce congestion by providing live traffic updates.
Stage 1B - Winter 2015/16 to Late Fall 2016
During Stage 1B, the inner travel lanes of I-91 north and
southbound along the median will be closed for deck
reconstruction. I-91 north and southbound traffic will be
shifted to the right, using the areas currently occupied by
the shoulder and outside travel lane. The contractor will
demolish and replace the deck in phases, in the area of
the median and high-speed lane(s) of I-91, along with the
I-291 on-ramp to I-91 southbound, and the left side of the
I-291 off-ramp from I-91 northbound. Access to I-291 will
be maintained at all times with the possible exception of
overnight closures where detours will be implemented.
For more information on detour routes and to view maps,
please visit the project website:
www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
The following ramps will be closed in early December
2015 for safety and operational reasons, and to expedite
construction:
•
Birnie Avenue connector (closed since October 2015)
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Union Street on-ramp to I-91 North
•
State Street on-ramp to I-91 North
•
Exit 7 off-ramp from I-91 South
•
Exit 6 off-ramp from I-91 South
•
Route 20 connector to I-91 South
During construction, the north entrance to the North Parking
Garage below the viaduct will be closed. The north exit will
remain open, but only right turns will be permitted out of
the garage, providing access onto East Columbus Avenue.
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Stage 2 - Late Fall 2016 to Late Fall 2017
The ramps closed in Stage 1B will remain closed during Stage
2. I-91 northbound and southbound traffic will shift onto the
center, newly reconstructed lanes. Construction will then shift to
the low-speed travel lane and shoulder portions of the viaduct,
along with the I-91 northbound on-ramp to I-291 East, which
will be constructed in two phases during this stage. Access from
I-91 northbound to I-291 East will be maintained at all times,
except for possible overnight closures.
MANAGING IMPACTS
Major highway infrastructure projects inevitably affect people
who visit, live, and work in the project area. MassDOT and the
project team strive to reduce traffic, dust, and noise impacts
throughout the construction process.
TRAFFIC
MassDOT has undertaken significant planning to improve
traffic movement on surface streets for the increase in traffic
during the ramp closures. Working with the City of Springfield,
MassDOT has developed detour plans and local improvements,
as well as a comprehensive monitoring program of key
corridors and intersections. The traffic plan will be updated
based on ongoing monitoring. In addition, traffic mitigation
includes:
•
Police details at critical intersections during peak periods
•
Monitoring cameras tied into the City of Springfield’s system
•
Real Time Traffic Management System signage, known as
RTTM
•
Incident Response Operations in case of a breakdown on
the viaduct
•
Aid provided to emergency responders for efficient
responses
•
Highway advisory radio
Message boards will provide live traffic updates as part of the
project’s Real Time Traffic Management System.
DUST
The JV is responsible for controlling construction-related dust
emissions at all times during construction. It will use various
techniques, such as applying water, calcium chloride and soil
stabilizers to control dust with sprinklers, tanks, trucks, and
other devices. Wind screens and/or wind barriers will also be
used to control the spread of dust between sidewalks and the
work zone.
NOISE
Some noise is to be expected for a major construction project.
The JV will be responsible for monitoring noise at sensitive
locations near the work zone and minimizing impacts on
abutters.
Design/Construction Schedule
Stage 1A, Preliminary Work
June 2015 through Winter 2015/16
Stage 1B, Lanes and Ramps Closed
Winter 2015/16 to Late Fall 2016
Stage 2, Inside Lanes Opened, Outside Lanes Closed, Ramps Remain Closed
Late Fall 2016 to Late Fall 2017
Traffic Restored on the Viaduct and Temporary Alignments Removed
Late Fall 2017
Structural Steel Painted and Finishing Tasks Completed
Late Fall 2018
Contract Completed
February 2019
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A July 2015 aerial view shows the pre-emptive concrete repairs to the surface
of the viaduct outer lanes on the western side. The eastern side (at top) shows a
patchwork of current and older repairs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAVEL OPTIONS
Fewer vehicles on highways and local streets, especially during
morning and afternoon peak commuting hours, mean less traffic
congestion and fewer delays. MassDOT conducted a Springfield
commuter survey during the development of the project and
found that 96% of commuters traveled alone and 39% had
some flexibility in their work schedule.
MassRIDES is a free program of MassDOT
designed to help reduce traffic congestion
and improve air quality and mobility. To
accomplish these goals, MassRIDES works with both employers
and commuters within the Commonwealth to promote the use of
commute options. Through hands-on worksite assistance, ridematching services, marketing and outreach events, MassRIDES
annually offers thousands of commuters and employers
time- and money-saving solutions for a better commute in
Massachusetts. Many large employers in the project area are
already MassRIDES partners.
To find out more, visit the MassRIDES website:
www.commute.com
Crews installed steel rebar in the deck beneath the I-91
viaduct roadway.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT & OUTREACH
GET INVOLVED
During construction, MassDOT will provide frequent updates
to notify the community of traffic management plans, project
updates, news and progress. Quarterly public meetings and
timely project updates will help the traveling public plan
accordingly to minimize inconvenience. Local TV, print, and
online media will also be made aware of major changes and
detours.
The project website (www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab)
will be updated for the duration of the project with the latest
project information, including closures and detours. Visit the
website to sign up to receive email notifications of traffic
changes, public meetings, and other project updates.
To submit comments or request information, please email
I91viaduct@state.ma.us or call 617-454-1839.
For more information, visit the project website:
www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab
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