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The MassDOT Highway Division is undertaking the
replacement of the Fore River Bridge.
The bridge carries Route 3A over the Fore River between Quincy
and Weymouth and serves as one of the major
gateways to the South Shore. The goal of the
project is to replace the current temporary bridge with a new, movable
span
that will safely and efficiently meet the needs of all users -
including
motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and maritime users for the next 75
years. The
program cost to replace the bridge is currently $280 million. Federal
Highway
Administration is the lead agency and is participating in approximately
80% of
the construction cost with MassDOT funding the remaining 20% of the
costs.
Background
Based on traffic counts taken in 2011, the Fore River Bridge carries
approximately 32,000 vehicles each weekday. It spans the navigable
section of the Fore River which sees significant commercial shipping
traffic to industrial users throughout the year, and a high volume of
pleasure boat
traffic during the summer months. The old Fore River Bridge, built in
1936, was a recognized local landmark; but in the late 1990’s
it
was
found to be deteriorated beyond the point of restoration. In 2002,
traffic was redirected off the 1936 bridge to the current temporary
movable span bridge. In 2004, after appropriate historical
documentation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, the 1936 span was demolished.
Proposed
Work
The design team, led by STV, has completed the
bridge type study process. A vertical
lift bridge was selected as the recommended alternative in the type
study. MassDOT
has concurred with the selected alternative of a vertical lift
structure to
advance in the 25% design plans. Currently the design team is in the
process of
developing the 25% highway plans and draft sketch plans. Once completed
and
approved, these plans will be used in the selection of a best value
design/build
team that will ultimately complete the final design and build the new
Fore River Bridge.
Vertical lift spans are typically used to span wider
navigation channels because they are capable of spanning long
distances. The
movable span of a vertical lift bridge is typically a truss that places
the
supporting superstructure above the roadway deck. By reducing the
amount of
superstructure below the roadway deck, the bottom of the structure is
higher
above the water, allowing more vessels to pass without having to raise
the
bridge, and thereby reducing impacts on vehicular traffic. For its
type study, the design team
considered a vertical lift bridge with a 250-foot horizontal navigation
clearance and a 58.5-foot vertical navigation clearance in the closed
position.
This vertical clearance will help to minimize summertime openings since
the clearance
will allow passage of most recreational sailboats without requiring
bridge
openings.
The amount of time required for the proposed bridge
to move from the closed position to the open position is 2.5 minutes
which is
significantly faster than the current temporary bridge. The
proposed cross section will consist of
two travel lanes a bicycle accommodating shoulder and a sidewalk for
each
direction of travel, and will be fully compliant with the Americans
with
Disabilities Act. In order to avoid the need to acquire properties, the
new
bridge will be designed to meet existing grades and layouts at the
rotary in Quincy and just beyond Monatiquot Street in Weymouth.
Environmental
Review
The MassDOT Highway
Division is committed to replacing
the
Fore River Bridge with due sensitivity to the natural and human
environment. The project has filed applications and documentation to
comply with all applicable Federal and state regulations including the
National
Environmental Policy Act with the Federal Highway
Administration,
a Bridge Permit Application to the United States Coast Guard, a Section
404 permit with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, a Water
Quality Certification Application to the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection, and a request for Consistency Certification
from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management.
Public
Involvement Process
The MassDOT Highway Division is committed to
meaningful, effective, and inclusive public involvement, as it is a
significant
component of the environmental review process. During this public
participation
process, MassDOT has incorporated comments and suggestions to the
extent
possible. Since April 2009, the project team has conducted project
briefings
with open question and answer sessions. Briefings have included:
- April 2009 –
local and state officials from Quincy,
Weymouth and Braintree.
- June 2009 –
a public briefing for residents of Quincy
and Weymouth.
- July 2009 –
a targeted briefing for members of the
Quincy 2000 business development group.
- August 2009
– a targeted briefing for maritime users
of the Fore River Channel.
- September 2009
– a targeted briefing for residents of
North Weymouth.
- October 2009
– a targeted briefing for residents of
Quincy Ward 2.
- February 2010 - a
targeted briefing for commuters living in
the area south of the bridge.
- April 2010 - a
targeted briefing for residents of Quincy
Ward 2.
- May 2010 - appearances
by members of the project team
before the Quincy and Weymouth Historic Commissions.
- June 2010 -
appearances by members of the project team
before the Quincy and Weymouth Conservation Commissions.
- June 2010 - a public
briefing for residents of Quincy and
Weymouth.
- January 2011 - a
public briefing regarding the EA for
residents of the project area.
- April 2011 - local and state officials from Quincy,
Weymouth and Braintree.
The
project team invites you to visit the project
documents
page of this
Web site to review the minutes recorded for these
meetings. Public involvement will continue throughout the current
25% design phase and into construction.
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PROJECT
DESCRIPTION