Construction Look-Ahead: Sept. 22 – Oct. 5
This is a brief overview of construction operations and traffic impacts for the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project. MassDOT will provide additional notices as needed for high-impact work, temporary ramp and street closures, and changes to traffic configurations beyond those described below.
Traffic Impacts
•Route 1 Northbound: Approaching the Tobin Bridge from Boston, the workzone begins in the left lane and continues in the center lane. Local traffic headed to Chelsea must be in the right lane to access the Beacon Street off-ramp. After Beacon Street, the next opportunity to exit Route 1 Northbound will be at Webster Avenue. 2 of 3 travel lanes will be open during daytime hours (5 a.m.–10 p.m.) and at least 1 travel lane will be open during overnight hours (10 p.m.–5 a.m.).
•Route 1 Southbound: Approaching the Chelsea Curves from the North Shore, the workzone begins in the right lane at the Carter Street off-ramp. 2 of 3 travel lanes will be open during daytime hours (5 a.m.–10 p.m.) and at least 1 travel lane will be open during overnight hours (10 p.m.–5 a.m.).
•Ramps: The Fourth Street off-ramp will remain closed for 2-3 months.
•Local Streets: Carter Street travel lanes will shift to the other side of the roadway on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to allow for a workzone on the eastbound side.
Traffic will remain two-way and police details will be used to guide travelers.
Work Hours
•Most work will occur in during daytime working hours (6 a.m.–2 p.m.) on weekdays. Some work will take place during afternoon (2 p.m.–7 p.m) and overnight hours (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) and on Saturdays (7 a.m.–7 p.m).
Summary of Work Completed
•In the two weeks prior to Sept. 22, crews continued work on the bridge deck, repaired and erected steel, waterproofed bridge deck, installed dust containment systems, power washed and excavated support column footings, and placed concrete columns.
Description of Scheduled Work
•Route 1 Northbound: Bridge deck removal and repairs will continue in the center lane over the Tobin Bridge. Bridge repairs and installation of prefabricated bridge units continue on the right side of the workzone through the Chelsea Curves.
•Route 1 Southbound: Painting of new deflector plates.
•Underneath Route 1: Replace and paint steel; continue installation of dust containment systems; power wash and paint columns and support beams; excavate, drill, and grout around support columns; erect steel; and place new concrete columns.
•Ramps and Local Streets: Concrete removal and test pit creation on the Fourth Street Ramp. Power washing and painting of columns and support beams on Carter Street.
For more information about the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project, please visit the project website: https://www.mass.gov/tobin-bridgechelsea-curves-rehabilitation-project.
Winter Schedule
•MassDOT is committed to reducing the duration and impacts of the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation project. We plan to maintain work zones and lane closures throughout the winter so that crews can continue working towards project completion when weather conditions are favorable.
•We will continue to offer increased public transit options and HOV lane access for all vehicles on I-93 Southbound while the work zone is in place during the winter months. (assuming this option continues after the evaluation of travel time data).
Travel Tips
Drivers should take care to pay attention to all signage and move carefully through the work zone. Police details, changes in lane markings, temporary controls such as barriers and traffic cones, signage, and other tools will be used throughout the project to control traffic and create safe work zones.
The contractors are coordinating with local event organizers and police to provide awareness and manage traffic impacts during events. For your awareness, during this look-ahead period, the following events are scheduled:
•Red Sox (Fenway Park): 9/27 at 7:10 p.m., 9/28 at 1:05 p.m., 9/29 at 3:05 p.m.
•Bruins (TD Garden): 9/28 at 3 p.m.
•Concerts (TD Garden): 9/27 at 7 p.m., 10/1 at 7:30 p.m., 10/4 at 8 p.m.