WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY
Next week, the project will continue the ongoing operations detailed below. The Newbury Street on-ramp may be closed weekday overnights during Turnpike lane closures: we will update the website as dates are confirmed. Limited noise is expected overnight for fence removal in the eastbound Turnpike and ongoing material removal. During days, foundation wall installation and mass excavation are progressing on site and within the Turnpike workzones. We expect to start building the deck platform structure over the rail tracks starting November 12.
DETAILED LOOK-AHEAD
TURNPIKE & TRAVEL
Building the deck platform over the rail tracks: We will start installing the deck platform structure on the weekend of 11/12, and expect to continue weekends through December 19, except Thanksgiving weekend. The Commuter Rail will use weekend shutdowns to ensure the safety of riders during this work, starting Friday night and ending by 5am Monday morning. We will send separate emails with more details as dates near. The MBTA will also share service alerts and information on their social media and mbta.com.
Turnpike Eastbound (inbound): slow-speed (right) lane remains closed from the Allston Viaduct (the Exit 131 interchange) to just past Mass Ave. Workzone extension is complete as of this week.
Turnpike Westbound (outbound): slow-speed (right) lane is closed from the Prudential Tunnel to just past Beacon St. This extended closure allows safe and continuous set-ups for Parcel 12 and for the neighboring project to the west, called the Fenway Center.
Overnight single-lane closures are expected on the Turnpike, requiring closures of the Newbury Street on-ramp. We will post dates on Construction Updates once confirmed by MassDOT.
Concrete wall repairs: within the Eastbound Turnpike workzone and under the Mass Ave Bridge, we will continue chipping and repairing the concrete wall. Noise is expected. This work will be limited to daytime hours. Westbound repairs are complete.
The second stage of deck support wall construction is underway on the Turnpike. These foundation walls are being built adjacent to the slow-speed lanes in both directions. This week, we will continue pouring walls and begin permanent concrete barrier installation. This phase is on track to be complete in Fall 2021.
We expect to start installing the deck over the railroad in the coming weeks. This will take place on weekends only with rail shutdowns required in coordination with Amtrak and the MBTA. Look for separate emails and MBTA outreach once scheduled.
Please continue to move carefully through the workzones: pay extra attention to your speed, lane markings, traffic signage, barriers, and any police or construction workers you see.
ON SITE
Mass excavation throughout the Boylston Street site is nearly done with interior foundations continuing. This includes excavating and pouring pile caps to support walls, and starting the elevator core.
Installation of electrical equipment along the Turnpike foundation walls in both directions will be ongoing this week.
Foundation work including walls and pile caps will continue along the Newbury Street parcel. This work requires careful coordination with train schedules and limiting some work to off-peak periods.
OVERNIGHT WORK
Nighttime work will continue in the highway, along the railway, and within the Boylston Street site along the railroad tracks where required for safety and logistical reasons. The project is taking all appropriate steps to avoid and mitigate noise from demolition. Upcoming overnight work includes:
Fence demobilization along the Eastbound slow-speed fixed workzone will continue this week. Minimal noise expected.
Permanent concrete barrier delivery and installation along the new foundation walls (within the slow-speed Turnpike workzones) will continue this week. Minimal noise expected.
Removal of material and loading of the workzone will continue overnight within the Turnpike workzones in both directions. This work requires travel lane closures that cannot occur during the day. While removing material, the contractor will place sand in the bottom of the trucks to dampen metal noises and will move pieces slowly into the trucks to limit noise.
Loading and unloading of the construction zone at the Newbury on-ramp will continue overnight and in the early morning to support the ongoing foundation activities.
Always check the Construction Updates page for the latest information and scheduled activities. Workhours are coordinated with MassDOT and with MBTA and are subject to change based on weather.
OTHER NEARBY WORK
Verizon is doing daytime utility work in the left lane of Newbury Street approaching the I-90 on-ramp. Access to the ramp is maintained while this work is going on, though it may appear blocked when approaching from Mass Ave. Any closure should include posted detour signage.
Construction and maintenance work unrelated to this project continues in the area. This includes local utility and street work, rehabilitation of portions of the Mass. Ave. Bridge, other construction projects along I-90 and in the neighborhood, and routine road maintenance. These other construction activities may have noise and/or traffic impacts that are not covered in these BuildP12 project updates. We will strive to provide information about these as a courtesy wherever possible.