Following a well-attended meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24, officials from the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced they are reconsidering their earlier recommendation to eliminate the 5th Street onramp as part of the three-year Chelsea Viaduct Rehabilitation project.
According to Joseph Pavao, the project manager, a MassDOT consultant had suggested the onramp could be removed, with the assumption that the Everett Street ramp and Cottage Street ramp would be capable of handling the displaced traffic.
Pavao acknowledged, however, that community feedback has made clear this approach may not be acceptable to residents.
“As of right now, it’s still under consideration,” he said. “We have certainly heard the concerns of the local community. We certainly heard it loud and clear at the meeting last week…After an internal study, we thought we could handle any traffic from the closure with the ramps at Cottage Street and Everett Avenue. However, based on community feedback and elected officials, we are reconsidering that and seeing if it’s a prudent thing to do on this project.”
The 5th Street onramp will definitely require temporary closure for approximately three to four months during 2020 when superstructure repairs take place, Pavao confirmed. The team is now reconsidering whether a permanent closure is necessary beyond that temporary shutdown.
Councilor Roy Avellaneda, along with other elected officials and business leaders, drove much of this reconsideration after voicing objections late last year when the potential closure was first announced.
Traffic concerns dominated the discussion, particularly worries about congestion flowing down Broadway and further straining Everett Avenue.
Pavao noted that he has recently consulted with City Manager Tom Ambrosino regarding a mitigation package that was submitted to MassDOT in late 2017. He indicated his intention to present a formal mitigation plan at an upcoming Chelsea City Council meeting.
Currently at 25 percent design completion, the project is expected to move toward final design shortly. Pavao stated they anticipate advertising the project to potential bidders this spring.
“We want to advertise this for bids in late March or early April,” he said.
Approximately 260,000 sq. ft. of structurally deficient decking and superstructure will be repaired as part of this project. While these areas are not unsafe, repairs are necessary.
Additional work includes repairs to the structure beneath the bridge, upgraded lighting, improved drainage systems, and parking lot enhancements under the bridge.
A contractor is expected to be selected soon, with potential work beginning in October 2018. The bulk of construction will occur in 2019, focusing on work beneath the bridge that will not affect Rt. 1 traffic.
Superstructure work is scheduled for 2020, when traffic impacts will be most significant.
“That’s when we’ll have permanent lane reductions to two lanes in both directions,” he said.
Accelerated bridge repair techniques will be employed, including 12 weekend work sessions of 55 hours each throughout the project duration.
The project is scheduled for completion in early 2021 following final paving and minor finishing work.