Neponset River Bridge

Rehabilitating a Major Arterial Bridge

Boston, Massachusetts

As part of Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Bridge Program, the $54-million project reached substantial completion in March 2013, five months ahead of schedule.

The pre-rehabilitation roadway conditions included poor pedestrian accessibility and a deteriorated, potholed roadway.

The severely deteriorated piers caps were entirely reconstructed from below while maintaining traffic on the open roadway above.

As part of a comprehensive traffic impacts study, we recommended temporary lane reconfigurations, signage, signal timing revisions, public information programs, alternative travel options, and dynamic message signs along major commute routes.

Aesthetic improvements included site specific lighting fixtures and railings to visually connect the bridge to the adjacent Quincy Shore Drive parkway environment.

Steel repairs restored areas of local deterioration to like-new conditions, and allowed for complete reuse of the superstructure girders.

The Neponset River Bridge, which connects 60,000 daily vehicles to the two major Massachusetts cities of Boston and Quincy, was in need of a major rehabilitation to address numerous problems with the aging structure. Carrying three lanes in each direction and two pedestrian sidewalks, this 23-span bridge was completely rehabilitated under a two-phase program that addressed serious structural deficiencies while integrating a workable traffic management scheme to maintain daily traffic.

2,800

total feet

60,000

daily vehicles

23

span bridge

The $20-million Phase 1 substructure work, which included the complete reconstruction of deteriorated hammerhead pier caps and a seismic retrofit with isolation bearings, was performed entirely below the roadway with minimal impact to traffic. The $34-million Phase 2 increased pedestrian safety with improved access, wider sidewalks, new pedestrian ramps, as well as new lights and rails. During this phase we also completely reconstructed the roadway deck.

Owner/Client

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Awards

Award of Merit

ENR New England

Engineering Excellence Bronze Award

ACEC/MA

Project Length

2,800 total feet

Cost

$54 million

Services

Engineering

Markets

Transportation

Regions

Northeast