As part of MassDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Program, H&H is providing engineering design services for the rehabilitation of the River Street and Western Avenue Bridges. Our scope of work includes the removal and replacement of all spandrel walls, parapets, ring stones, roadway slabs, sidewalks, and wingwalls from the three-span concrete arch bridges over the Charles River. All existing concrete located above the waterline at the remaining arches, piers, and abutments will also be repaired.
Additionally, the two approach bridges over Soldiers Field Road in Boston will entail superstructure replacements of the existing reinforced concrete tee girders and deck, with a pre-stressed Northeast Extreme TEE (NEXT) Beam superstructure. To comply with the adjacent Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts community demands, the rehabilitated bridges will feature extensive improvements for pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle users through wider sidewalks and dedicated cycle tracks. Corner improvements intended to enlarge queue areas, reduce crossing distances, and slow motorized turning movements will also be constructed. The arch bridges will be constructed within their footprints to minimize the impact on the Charles River Basin. Other proposed design features include moment slabs constructed over concrete frames to provide current vehicle impact-resistant parapets and the use of controlled density fill as the predominant backfill material for the bridges.
Because the bridges are contributing elements to the National Register of Historic Places, the rehabilitated arch bridge design will include architectural detailing to match the existing bridge elements. Construction at all four bridges associated with the project (two arch bridges & two approach bridges) will be staged to maintain traffic, pedestrian, and utility service during construction.
