Starting next week, the Mystic Tobin Bridge will see the resumption of significant repair work and lane closures as the second phase of a three-year rehabilitation initiative gets underway.
The project’s scope encompasses painting, maintenance, and preservation activities designed to protect the steel structure that has supported the bridge since its completion in 1950.
Already this week, the contractor has begun implementing temporary lane closures during both day and night hours to erect platforms on the bridge’s upper and lower decks—the same structures that were visible during last summer’s construction phase.
Starting the week of April 8th, however, permanent lane restrictions will take effect.
A public information session will be held on April 8th at 6 p.m. at Chelsea City Hall, where the state Department of Transportation (DOT) will present details regarding the lane closures on both decks and outline the work schedule, which is expected to conclude in November.
The third and final phase of the project will commence in spring 2014.
Chelsea’s on-ramps and off-ramps should remain unaffected, with the exception of the Everett Avenue on-ramp, which will be narrowed to accommodate the reduced traffic lanes on the bridge.
Below is an overview of April’s construction schedule.
• Week of April 8
Barrels will be positioned by the contractor to acclimate drivers to upcoming lane restrictions that will reduce capacity from three lanes to two on each deck. This setup will enable completion of rigging and shielding installation.
• Week of April 15
Barriers will be installed along both bridge edges, and side shielding will surround the two travel lanes for enhanced public safety. Installation of shielding will proceed throughout the project duration to minimize public inconvenience. A fully encapsulating containment system will be constructed within the existing shielding to provide backup protection and prevent paint debris from dispersing.
• Week of April 22
Once the containment system is fully installed, tested, and approved, the contractor will begin sandblasting existing paint, repairing steel components as needed, and applying new paint.
Motorists can stay updated by visiting the project website at www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TobinBridge.aspx or by following MassDOT’s Twitter account @MassDOT for project updates and photographs.