MassDOT Fast Tracks Emergency Drawbridge Repairs

The Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation is scrambling to reopen a key Boston-area drawbridge after the invention of deck panel cracks compelled an emergency closure of the construction on Oct. 15.

The bridge, a two-lane momentary metal construction spanning the Saugus River was put in in 2013 to take care of site visitors on State Route 107 between the cities of Saugus and Lynn throughout reconstruction of the Belden G. Bly Bridge, which was closed that very same yr after the $12-million momentary crossing was full, in accordance with MassDOT. Together with a crack in a structural deck panel, the company says inspectors recognized a number of different deck panel assemblies that require substitute.

Though initially estimated to be closed for as much as two weeks, native media reviews say MassDOT is hopeful the round the clock restore effort will permit the permit the momentary crossing re-opened by Oct. 20. The construction’s drawbridge stays operational to accommodate marine site visitors through the outage.

The disruption comes as SPS New England nears completion of a five-year, $99.3-million challenge to switch the unique Bly Bridge, also referred to as the Fox Hill Drawbridge, with a three-span, four-lane single-leaf bascule drawbridge. Set to open in 2026, the crossing will characteristic a 77-ft-long movable span that rotates on a heel-trunnion, in accordance with engineer-of-record STV. Due to the roadway’s proximity relative to excessive tide, counterweight and mechanical gear are positioned overhead, thereby separating mechanical and electrical programs from the water with out the necessity for costly enclosed basis pits.

The challenge additionally consists of new abutments and retaining partitions with pushed pile foundations, reconstruction of the bridge approaches, integration of sidewalks and bicycle lanes and reconfiguration of a close-by intersection to enhance site visitors circulate. An 18-in-dia. water fundamental is being relocated to a trench alongside the inboard facet of the brand new bridge. As soon as the brand new bridge is open, SPS will take away the momentary crossing because the challenge’s last section.