PROJECT UPDATEProject File No. 607731

December 3, 2014

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 running concurrent with a study of long-term Alternatives for the Viaduct

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 PurposeTo 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 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

Project Schedule September 27, 2014 Project Advertised

December 2014 Plans available to the Bidders

February 15, 2015 Bid Opening

March 2015 Contract Award

April 2015 Notice to Proceed

May 2015 Preconstruction Meeting

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 Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques using prefabricated elements is

proposed to reduce overall construction time.

Incentives/Disincentives also being employed to accelerate the construction and open I-91, minimizing delays, construction and disruption to Springfield.

Suggested construction sequence allows for two major stages.

The use of ABC and Incentives/Disincentives may reduce the overall construction duration by from 6+ years to 3+ years

Traffic – Existing Condit ions 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

Employee/commuter survey completed

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)

Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Stage 1)

Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Stage 2)

Traffic - Traffic Management Approach (Stage 2)

Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mit igation 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/Mit igation

Enhanced Conne

Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mit igationction

and Roadway Reconstruction

Modified Lane Use and Signal Phasing

Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mit igation

Traffic – Traffic Impacts/Mit igation

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 - Temporary closures of certain areas will be required (minimum number of spaces required to remain open on top levels at all times)

Coordination with other projects in the project area, including West Springfield Rotary and Casino projects

Public Outreach CoordinationContractor will be working closely with, MassDOT to communicate project information and engage the public The Cities of Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, Agawam,

Longmeadow, and East Longmeadow Abutting businesses And all other stakeholders during construction.

Contractor will be required to:Retain a firm that specializes in public outreach to facilitate

required communication and coordination efforts

Hire a public outreach coordinator with 5 years of similar MassDOT work experience

Develop a Public Participation Plan and Public Participation Outreach Plan

These plans will focus on: Updating the public and all stakeholders on the status of the project

accordingly. Updates include but are not limited to:• Anticipated work efforts including work hours

• Potential community impacts

• And applicable mitigation.

Coordinating activities, meetings, written and graphic materials that will be prepared throughout the project

And laying out a general proposed schedule for these activities.

MassDOT will use all available resources to communicate Project information including, but not limited to:Broadcast and print media

Variable message signs

Dedicated Project website

Social media

Highway Advisory Radio (HAR)

Existing MassDOT and other Commonwealth websites

Newsletters

FactsheetsFliersE-mailPresentationsBriefingsMeetingsSigns

The Contractor shall make the following documents available on the MassDOT website: Information for a weekly update, including a 90-day schedule, detailed updates for the upcoming two

weeks, including anticipated problems and any changes in information to be provided to the public.

Photographs and video footage of Project activities after completion of milestones

Presentation slides, presentation boards, and graphics

Daily traffic updates and alerts

Detour maps of each detour route for use on the website and distribution to media, stakeholder groups, etc.

Written content and graphics for Project newsletters and the website.