Construction to Close Comm Ave Bridge for Two-Plus Weeks

BU Today

BU Today will update this story as information becomes available from MassDOT. The University has a website on the Commonwealth Avenue bridge replacement project, including detour routes.
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As part of a $110 million project to replace the half-century-old concrete surface and steel beams that support Commonwealth Avenue as it passes over the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will close that section of Comm Ave to all but MBTA buses, pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency vehicles from July 27 through August 13. The MBTA Green Line B trolley will be replaced with shuttle buses from Blandford Street to Babcock Street from July 26 through August 13.
The project, scheduled for the time of year when vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists are significantly reduced, is phase one of a two-phase bridge replacement, to be completed over the next two summers. This July and August, MassDOT will replace the eastbound lanes, sidewalk, bike lane, and MBTA trolley areas, and during summer 2018 it will replace westbound lanes, sidewalk, and bike lanes. Both phases will close to normal vehicular traffic roadways that intersect with the bridge, including University Road, the BU Bridge, the Carlton Street bridge, and Mountfort Street. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists will use detours that will be clearly marked by MassDOT. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross the bridge through designated areas monitored by police details. Special routes will be available for BU employees and residents whose offices and neighborhoods are along or abut Comm Ave. All detours will be directed by police details.
“To the degree that people can take vacation time or work from home, we would encourage that during the construction, commensurate with smooth University operations,” says Diane Tucker, BU’s chief human resources officer.
The commonwealth will use Accelerated Bridge Construction, which employs innovative planning, design, materials, and construction techniques to expedite the work during the two intensive ...

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