Bridge Replacement Route 145 (Winthrop Avenue)
April 21, 2015
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – ROUTE 145 (Winthrop Ave) OVER THE MBTA & Pan-AM RR
Scope of Work:
The contract consists of the replacement of the existing truss & deck (bridge superstructure) of Bridge No. R-05-001 (Truss) Route 145 (Winthrop Avenue) over the MBTA Railroad (Keolis Commuter Rail) and Pan-AM Railways (formerly B&M Railroad) in the City of REVERE. Work includes reinforcing the existing granite block abutments (bridge substructure) with drilled micro-piles (vertical) and lateral tie-backs (horizontal). Accelerated Bridge construction techniques are incorporated in the project design to expedite construction (see description below). Work also includes approximately 750-feet of approach roadway reconstruction on Route 145, including the reconfiguration of the existing intersections of Route 16, Route 145 & the ramp to Bell Circle. Roadway approach work includes the installation of a new traffic signal system and related appurtenant work.
Detailed Description of Work:
Demolition, removal & disposal of the entire superstructure and portions of the substructure. Installing tiebacks & micropiles through the existing abutments; repairing abutment subgrade; and constructing new precast abutment caps & precast approach slabs. Fabrication and installation of new steel truss superstructure & precast concrete deck with closure pours. The truss will be delivered to the jobsite partially assembled and craned into place.
In an effort to minimize adverse impacts to the Commuter Rail line, this project will be coordinating with District 6 Silver-Line Construction project. Both projects will require RR closures with busing in place on the dates described below.
Construction Stages:
The bridge will be constructed in Stages. Stage 1 is Route 145 WB (leaving Revere Beach). A detailed description of Stage 1 is as follows:
- On Friday, May 29th at approximately 8:00 PM, the bridge will be shut-down in both directions. Traffic will be re-routed using the attached detour plan. The detour will be in place over a 2-day weekend period. Pedestrian traffic will also be re-directed to the EB side with temporary signalized pedestrian crossings. The affected section of the Commuter Rail will be closed; the contractor is developing a busing plan for MBTA/Keolis review and approval.
- During this time, the existing WB truss, deck and abutments will be demolished. The contractor’s intent is to begin installation of the new truss during this first weekend shutdown.
- On Monday, June 1st at approximately 5:00 AM, the roadway will re-open with reduced capacity. Rte. 145 will be reduced from 3 travel lanes in each direction to 1 travel lane in each direction for a 5-day period. Both travel lanes will be operating on the remaining section of the EB Bridge. Existing traffic signal system phases will be modified during this period to attempt to minimize adverse traffic impacts. During this time, contractor will continue with bridge construction and roadway work on the WB side; all construction operations will be protected with temporary concrete barrier.
- At the end of the 5-day period, the bridge will again be shut-down for the weekend starting Friday, June 5th using the detour. During this time, bridge and roadway construction will be completed.
- On Monday, June 8th, Rte. 145 will re-open at full-capacity; 3 travel lanes in each direction.
After the two weekends of road closures after Memorial Day, there are no anticipated roadway closures through the work-zone to Labor Day due to restrictions on RR closures and increased traffic volumes from Beach traffic. Through this time, the contractor will be coordinating utility relocation & continuing construction operations using temporary lanes closures during the standard hours of operation.
Stage 2 is Route 145 EB (destination Revere Beach); it is the same demo/installation sequence and detour as Stage 1. It is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 6th at approximately 8:00 PM, and complete on Monday, November 16th.
There are no anticipated roadway closures through the work-zone from following the Stage 2 shut-down. General construction operations may continue weather permitting. Final paving and landscape work is scheduled to complete in spring 2016.
Upcoming Work Activities: Over the next few weeks, the Contractor will be installing the necessary detour signs, constructing the temporary traffic signals for the pedestrian detour & installing micro-piles and tiebacks. All tieback and micro-piles need to be in place prior to the Stage 1 shut-down. In addition, the affected utilities (Verizon, National Grid gas, MWRA water) are being temporarily relocated to allow bridge demolition and construction. Off-site, the precast concrete bridge elements are being fabricated and the steel truss sections are being fabricated and assembled.