Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study
Terms and Definitions
ABP—Accelerated Bridge Program: $3 billion bond program to fund bridge repair and
replacement in the Commonwealth. Passed by Legislature in 2008; runs thru
2016.
ADT: Average daily traffic
Bridge deck—Riding surface for traffic
Bridge load rating—Calculates the current load-bearing capacity of a bridge or culvert.
Bridge inspection—The general condition ratings are an overall assessment of the
physical condition of the deck (riding surface), the superstructure (load carrying
members such as beams or trusses that support the driving surface), substructures
(abutments and piers).
Cross girder—A large steel or reinforced concrete girder member placed perpendicular to
and to support main girders or trusses of a bridge span.
EB—Eastbound
FREE—Fall River Energy Enterprise
Environmental Notification Form (ENF)—Analysis of environmental benefits and
impacts filed with Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
LOS—Vehicle Level of Service
MassDOT—The Commonwealth’s new Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
NB—Northbound
No-Build Condition—Conditions that would exist if the project were not built
Pin & hanger connection—Type of support system for steel bridge beams
Pier—Intermediate supports for bridges and viaducts constructed of steel, reinforced
concrete, or stone masonry.
Route 79 North Project—Proposal by the City of Fall River to make Route 79 north of
the Rte. 79/I-195 interchange an at-grade boulevard.
SB—Southbound
Span—The distance between the supports of a bridge
Spalling—Flaking, crumbling and falling away of concrete
Substructure—Supports the superstructure and transmits loads from the superstructure to
the ground. Generally consists of pier caps, columns and piles
Superstructure—Supports the deck and generally consists of beams or girders
v/c—volume-to-capacity ratio
vpd –vehicles per day
Viaduct—A bridge over land or water usually with multiple short or medium length
spans
WB—Westbound
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