Massachusetts Department of Transportation Interstate I-90 Multiple Bridge Replacements

GPI is currently working on the Newton-Weston Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation at I-90/I-95. This interchange in Newton and Weston, Massachusetts, connects two of the busiest interstate highways in the Boston Metropolitan area. Interstate 90 (I-90) carries freight and passengers from the suburbs west of Boston to the city center and Logan Airport. Eight bridges within the interchange area were determined to be structurally deficient and in need of rehabilitation or replacement.

The project involves constructing five new bridges, including the bridge carrying I-90 over I-95 and the Charles River. The project also includes replacing the superstructure of the bridge carrying I-90 over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail and Amtrak using accelerated construction techniques over two rapid construction weekends. Two more bridges within the interchange area will be rehabilitated.

The project will improve safety for users by adding standard shoulder widths, increased acceleration and deceleration lanes, increased vertical clearance, increased seismic resiliency, new highway lighting, and pavement markings.  To limit impacts on abutters, the project includes new retaining walls and noise barriers.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) initiated a project to address the deficient bridge structures and improve safety within the project limits. The project was developed and advertised as a design-build project, with GPI serving as the preliminary design consultant for MassDOT. As the preliminary design consultant, GPI prepared the base technical concept (BTC) and contract documents for the project. GPI also serves as the primary reviewer for MassDOT.

The project is currently entering the second full year out of a total of five years of construction, with some major work occurring over the next month. The bridge carrying I-90 over the MBTA/Amtrak lines will have its superstructure replaced over two accelerated weekends in May and June. The first stage of the bridge’s construction carrying I-90 over I-95 is nearing completion, and I-90 eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the new structure later this year.