93 Bridges

[found5dollar]

From http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/

Medford I-9314 bridges Map MassDOT in summer 2011 will replace 14 bridge superstructures on I-93 in Medford as part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic 8-year, $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program.

The project will replace the bridge structures with work performed only on weekends in June, July and August, except for the 4th of July. This accelerated schedule will avoid weekday rush-hour traffic to reduce the impact on travelers and communities.

MassDOT is using innovative engineering and construction techniques to reduce the construction timeline. Community and stakeholder outreach is ongoing to inform affected communities, businesses, and residents about the work.

A project website is available with a map, links and other information.

Learn more on the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot/93fast14


map they talk about...

http://www.93fast14.com/Images/93fast14_bridges.jpg

[mass88]

Are they talking about completely replacing the entire bridge? Or just stripping things and rebuilding the decks?

[Mayor Menino's Crohn's]

Are they talking about completely replacing the entire bridge? Or just stripping things and rebuilding the decks?
It's the complete bridge ala I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle...


I'm not sure if it's like the "Heavy Lift" project in Phillipston a while back though...

[BostonUrbEx]

8 years? Wow. I wonder, how much more would it cost to prefab them (in any open space possible nearby) and then on just one weekend, pluck the old ones out and plop the new ones in.

[HenryAlan]

I don't think the 8 years refers to this specific project, but the entire bridge replacement project statewide.

Although, I've observed that bridge repair in Massachusetts does take a ridiculously long time (see Mass Ave., Dedham Circle, etc.), so maybe it is 8 years just for this group.

[PaulC]

I think this is just this summer only

[jass]

So I recently saw this picture on another website, and I immediately though BOSTON NEED THIS.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6767/4308027109eb769cd92ao.jpg

Walking over highways SUCKS and there are three major problems this addresses.

-Wind, GONE
-Noise, DIMINISHED

and almost as important...

SNOW.

Nobody shovels the same sidewalks on bridges because theres no abutting property. Put a little roof over it AND NO MORE SNOW!

[Ron Newman]

All 14 bridges are being replaced this summer -- please re-read the posted press release.

These are I-93 bridges over other roads (and rivers), so the idea in the last photo doesn't really apply to them.

[jass]

All 14 bridges are being replaced this summer -- please re-read the posted press release.

These are I-93 bridges over other roads (and rivers), so the idea in the last photo doesn't really apply to them.

Ron, what does the schedule of construction have to do with what I posted? Im saying ALL our highway bridges need these to be installed. Especially those on the pike that cut through the city.

Do you enjoy walking over the mass pike?

I really dont understand what you're saying, the bridges being replaced are roads that cross over the highway.

[Ron Newman]

Ron, what does the schedule of construction have to do with what I posted?

Nothing, my reply was to BostonUrbEx further above.

the bridges being replaced are roads that cross over the highway.

All of the bridges being replaced are where roads (and a river) cross under I-93. There are no sidewalks on I-93.

Your suggestion is a good one but it doesn't apply to this project. But ... what could we do to improve the dismal underpasses? As a pedestrian, I find them much worse than overpasses. They make many of the approaches to Medford Square unpleasant and uninviting.

[Ron Newman]

One concern I'd have with the glass canopy is, who's going to keep it clean? It will get spattered and streaked by rain, snow, and mud, marring any nice views that pedestrians might momentarily take in now.

[Lurker]

Those glass canopies would be vandalism and graffiti magnets. We can't have nice things in this country anymore because of the lack of respect for public fixtures.

[jass]

Sorry Ron, I didnt realize you were replying to someone else. When I was in Italy, I noticed that the highway sound walls were plexiglass instead of concrete, and they were clean enough that you could see through them. I doubt anyone cleaned them. Also, all the bus stations have plexiglass walls, and I dont think anyone cleans them either.

Lurker, I disagree. As long as their city continues their excellent graffiti policies, it wont be an issue. Ive never seen graffiti on bus stop windows.

[PaulC]

Watch house hunters international on hgtv if you want to see graffiti.

[Charlie_mta]

Wow, this thread takes me back. I was in 8th grade when this section of I-93 was built, and I used to ride my bike over from North Cambridge to see this highway under construction. I saw it all the way through, from the initial moving of the houses from the right-of-way, to the ribbon cutting.

[Ron Newman]

I didn't realize houses were actually moved off the right-of-way. Where did this happen, and how many were moved?

[Charlie_mta]

I saw houses being moved in the Roosevelt Circle area (exit 33). I distinctly remember seeing a few moved to the streets just east of the Circle. I'm sure a lot were demolished, but a bunch were actually moved.

[EarthRockHill]

I am officially documenting this monumental project for J.F. White Contracting Co. and MassDOT.

See extensive galleries on my website dedicated to the 93Fast14 project.


Earth Rock Hill - Historical Services (http://www.earthrockhill.com)

[Ron Newman]

Can you provide a more specific link? I'm not sure where to find this particular project on those pages.

[BostonUrbEx]

I don't think you can post a more specific link. There's just the homepage, and everything is navigated to on Flash.


It's under Portfolio though, and in the top right "93fast14-PROCESS".

[whighlander]

So I recently saw this picture on another website, and I immediately though BOSTON NEED THIS.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6767/4308027109eb769cd92ao.jpg

Walking over highways SUCKS and there are three major problems this addresses.

-Wind, GONE
-Noise, DIMINISHED

and almost as important...

SNOW.

Nobody shovels the same sidewalks on bridges because theres no abutting property. Put a little roof over it AND NO MORE SNOW!


Jass -- you and eye live in different universes wih apparently different laws of physics -- wind and snow still have access -- just not from the side where the Plexiglass is located -- in fact I'm willing to bet that under faily common conditions the wind and snow could be far worse with a wall to constrain things

Noise reduction -- perhaps -- I think the real reason for the Plexi is mainly to protect the drivers below from people dropping stuff on them

somewhat off topic -- I've never understood why the T doesn't put plexi roofs over the rebuilt outdoor stations such as Charles / MGH or the current rebuild of Science Park-- it would certainly make waiting for a train on a february evening much more pleasant

[EarthRockHill]

Jass -- you and eye live in different universes wih apparently different laws of physics -- wind and snow still have access -- just not from the side where the Plexiglass is located --

What does any of this have to do with the I-93 bridges? None have pedestrian access. Perhaps this needs to go in a different post.

[EarthRockHill]

While there are images in 4 galleries on my site these two images were used by ABetterCity.org today in an informational blast about the project for this weekend.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5965164822_5175543736_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/setteducati/5965164822/)
ABC-ERH-18JUN11-PanoRevised (http://www.flickr.com/photos/setteducati/5965164822/) by Stephen SetteDucati (http://www.flickr.com/people/setteducati/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5964608221_b9552df997_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/setteducati/5964608221/)
ABC-ERH-10JUN11-5131ed (http://www.flickr.com/photos/setteducati/5964608221/) by Stephen SetteDucati (http://www.flickr.com/people/setteducati/), on Flickr

[jass]

What does any of this have to do with the I-93 bridges? None have pedestrian access. Perhaps this needs to go in a different post.

That is simply untrue

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=01890&hl=en&ll=42.428475,-71.103539&spn=0.000666,0.00142&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.543597,93.076172&t=k&z=20&layer=c&cbll=42.428475,-71.103539&panoid=9oxQ5r2BfpFpUZgiXpkkkg&cbp=12,156.31,,1,6.67

[Ron Newman]

But I don't think that bridge is being replaced as part of this project. Only bridges where I-93 goes over another road (or the Mystic River).

[jass]

But I don't think that bridge is being replaced as part of this project. Only bridges where I-93 goes over another road (or the Mystic River).

I dont know which bridges are being included, but when I made the post about pedestrians crossing OVER the highway, I was referring to locations like that one. MassDot decided to use fencing, which provides absolutely no shelter to the pedestrian, unlike plexiglass.

Id also bet that that specific bridge(s) was built at the same time as all the rest, so I wonder why theyre not being replaced?

[Ron Newman]

Possibly it is less worn-out because it carries a lot less traffic.

[EarthRockHill]

I dont know which bridges are being included, but when I made the post about pedestrians crossing OVER the highway, I was referring to locations like that one. MassDot decided to use fencing, which provides absolutely no shelter to the pedestrian, unlike plexiglass.

Id also bet that that specific bridge(s) was built at the same time as all the rest, so I wonder why theyre not being replaced?

The bridge being replaced on 93 are.......... on 93, not over.
They are 14 structurally deficient bridge that carry upwards of 250,000 cars per day.

I can see the attraction to the plexiglass panels to protect pedestrians, but that might be better serves in an area that has a LOT of pedestrians.
Like a connecting bridge to and from a train station or a sports arena or a school. The rotary bridge OVER 93 has so little pedestrian traffic protecting the few that cross it per day too much cost per capita.

Also have you considered the implications of the visual impact of the plexiglas awning over a busy interstate?

1) the glare/reflections that would be caused by adverse lighting conditions, setting/rising sun, highway traffic

2)Snow load: Sure...it would protect the 1-2 pedestrian walked from Medford Sq to the Fellsway in the event of a blizzard, but what happens when there is a freezing rain that coats the plexi and then a 6-8 inch snowfall that builds on top of canopy that they in the midday sun decides to 'let go'. Where does it fall? Down. Onto busy 93 North South Traffic, into windshields, onto roadway, causing accidents and chaos.

These plexiglas canopies have no place in the ares you describe. They are best to protect half-drunk pedestrians from melting in the rain while crossing a busy street in Las Vegas tyring to get to the next casino...

[jass]

The bridge being replaced on 93 are.......... on 93, not over.
They are 14 structurally deficient bridge that carry upwards of 250,000 cars per day.

I can see the attraction to the plexiglass panels to protect pedestrians, but that might be better serves in an area that has a LOT of pedestrians.
Like a connecting bridge to and from a train station or a sports arena or a school. The rotary bridge OVER 93 has so little pedestrian traffic protecting the few that cross it per day too much cost per capita.

Also have you considered the implications of the visual impact of the plexiglas awning over a busy interstate?

1) the glare/reflections that would be caused by adverse lighting conditions, setting/rising sun, highway traffic

2)Snow load: Sure...it would protect the 1-2 pedestrian walked from Medford Sq to the Fellsway in the event of a blizzard, but what happens when there is a freezing rain that coats the plexi and then a 6-8 inch snowfall that builds on top of canopy that they in the midday sun decides to 'let go'. Where does it fall? Down. Onto busy 93 North South Traffic, into windshields, onto roadway, causing accidents and chaos.

These plexiglas canopies have no place in the ares you describe. They are best to protect half-drunk pedestrians from melting in the rain while crossing a busy street in Las Vegas tyring to get to the next casino...

There are many highway crossings thats ee thousands of pedestrians. Not on 93, but over the mass pike, like by kenmore or back bay station.

I dont think glare is an issue. Plexiglass is common along european highways, and they have sun too.

Obviously the shelter would have to be designed so that snow wouldnt stick on it.

The plexiglass in las vegas (again, note the lack of glare issue) doesnt provide a roof, just side walls.

[EarthRockHill]

There are many highway crossings thats ee thousands of pedestrians. Not on 93, but over the mass pike, like by kenmore or back bay station.

I dont think glare is an issue. Plexiglass is common along european highways, and they have sun too.

Obviously the shelter would have to be designed so that snow wouldnt stick on it.

The plexiglass in las vegas (again, note the lack of glare issue) doesnt provide a roof, just side walls.

Really, they have the same sun? That big ball of fire 90-million miles away sun?
I was just citing the use of the awning over the 93 bridge to which this thread came into play with.
I've been on many roads in Europe over the last 25 years, they all do things a LOT differently that for sure.
Like for example do you know that those wicked fast roads where we test our Corvettes between Dusseldorf and Nuremberg aren't built anything like our superhighways of the interstate system. Instead merely laying a layer of asphalt over compacted soil and crushed stone the base of their vastly superior autobahn is 3-6 feet of reinforced concrete.

I'd say the cost of installation alone for one bridge to have a plexi awning might be upwards of $100,000. Carry an umbrella.

[BostonUrbEx]

Plexiglass would be good for, let's say, the Mass Ave bridge, maybe. I don't see a need for anything less than 200 feet.

[Ron Newman]

No no no! I like the unobstructed view of the Charles from the sidewalks and the bike lanes.

[BostonUrbEx]

No no no! I like the unobstructed view of the Charles from the sidewalks and the bike lanes.

But... it's... clear...?! :confused: LOL

[jass]

No no no! I like the unobstructed view of the Charles from the sidewalks and the bike lanes.

When he said "Mass ave bridge" I instantly thought of crossing the highway by Hynes. So terrible when there's wind.

[gooseberry]

The plexiglass would get dirty and scratched up in about two seconds.

[jass]

The plexiglass would get dirty and scratched up in about two seconds.

Funny how the bus stops are there for 3+ years and they look fine.

:\

[EarthRockHill]

Funny how the bus stops are there for 3+ years and they look fine.

:\

Thats because it is a tempered glass not plexiglas.

[BostonUrbEx]

What's that stuff that someone proposed building a dome over Dallas with? I think it was Dallas, can't recall... And I can't recall what the material was, but AFAIK it was clear and sturdy and easy to clean. Obviously the city dome idea is completely out of here, but how would that work for a bridge sidewalk?

[Ron Newman]

Does Dallas really get that much rain?

[EarthRockHill]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UStEDZ1FYnY

Great video by MassDOT. Really shows the over view of the project here.

[Charlie_mta]

This is quite the life story for me, as I watched the bridges being constructed when I was in 7th and 8th grade, and now am seeing them replaced.