North Washington Street Bridge (Charlestown Bridge)
Construction Look-Ahead to March 30, 2019
This document provides a brief overview of construction operations and impacts for the North Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. It will be supplemented by additional notices as needed for high-impact work and changes to traffic configurations beyond those described below.
DEMOLITION AND SITE PREPARATION:
DESCRIPTION: Demolition of the western sidewalk (Charles River side) is complete. Preparation of utilities continues, including construction of supports to carry utilities over a utility bridge throughout construction.
WORK HOURS: Weekdays, daytime (7AM to 6PM).
TRAVEL IMPACTS: None specifically related to site preparation.
TEMPORARY BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION:
DESCRIPTION: Driving of bent supports for the temporary roadway bridge continues. One of these supports is being installed in Paul Revere Park behind the Tudor Wharf walkway and requires daily 7AM-3PM closures of the walkway and playground. More details are available on the project website.
WORK HOURS: Daytime (7AM to 6PM) on weekdays.
TRAVEL IMPACTS: During off-peak daytime hours (10AM to 2PM), the inbound right lane will be closed to create a work zone to support pile driving. During the Tudor Wharf walkway closures, pedestrian access will be provided via the Water Street underpass and guidance signage will be provided.
UTILITY INSTALLATION AND UPGRADES:
DESCRIPTION: Installation of MBTA conduits at the south end of the bridge at Keany Square on weekdays by J.F. White will continue. Utility relocation and upgrades by Eversource will continue on weekdays at the north end of the bridge at City Square.
WORK HOURS: Daytime (7AM to 2PM) on weekdays.
TRAVEL IMPACTS: During off-peak hours, from 10AM to 2PM on weekdays, inbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the Keany Square intersection to allow for MBTA conduit installation. This work is expected to shift to outbound lanes beginning Thursday, 3/21. During off-peak hours, from 7AM to 2PM on weekdays, outbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the Eversource work zone approaching the City Square intersection. All turn movements will be maintained, with two inbound lanes available during the morning peak hours.
TRAVEL TIPS:
PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS: The bridge’s eastern sidewalk is open and available to all pedestrians and cyclists with crossings at both Keany and City Squares. Please be advised that the DCR-controlled Charlestown locks can provide another alternate route, but may close without warning and beyond control of this project. During the daytime Tudor Wharf walkway closures, pedestrian access will be provided via the Water Street underpass and guidance signage will be provided.
All users should take care to pay attention to all signage and police details 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 contractor is coordinating with the TD Garden and local police to provide awareness and manage traffic impacts during events. For your awareness, during this look-ahead period, the following events are scheduled:
Bruins: 3/30 at 1PM
Celtics: 3/18 at 7:30PM, 3/24 at 7:30PM, 3/29 at 7:30PM
Events: 3/20 at 7:30PM, 3/22 at 4PM and 7:30PM, 3/23 at 4PM and 7:30PM, 3/25 at 7:30PM, 3/26 at 7:30PM
For more information and project background, visit:
https://www.mass.gov/north-washington-street-bridge-replacement
