Since our last update, this office has been working on the Bates Bridge 24/7!
Tuesday morning, staff and I attended a project briefing at MassHighway’s District 4 Headquarters in Arlington. I think it’s fair to say that we’ll work a little more closely with the MassDOT engineering staff going forward.
Wednesday night, we attended a Groveland Conservation Commission meeting and briefed the commissioners about bridge plans. Yesterday, Heidi Michitson and I went down to the site to see things for ourselves.
To recap, primary elements of the bridge work include the construction of a new movable span bridge, which includes the installation of drilled shaft foundations, reinforced concrete piers, a structural steel superstructure, and a concrete filled grid deck. What that technical jargon means to local residents will be explained as the work progresses.
This winter, temporary cofferdams will allow work to take place regardless of the weather. Cofferdams are designed to keep water (and soil) out of the excavation area. In this case, the cofferdam will give contractors a dry environment as they work below water level. Because of environmental restrictions (mostly wildlife/spawning related) in-water work can only occur between the winter months of mid-November and March 1st.
As you know, the traffic jams continue on both sides of the bridge. Overhead and underground utility relocation is well underway on the Haverhill side along Groveland Street, Old Ferry Road, and Orchard Avenue. That work will certainly be completed by the end of the year—and probably before Thanksgiving.
Hope this new information helps keep you cool over the weekend!
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