Project: Chelsea Viaduct Rehabilitation                

Grid Manufacturer: LB Foster

Location: Chelsea Massachusetts                          

General Contractor: Skanska McCourt II JV

Subcontractor (Installer): Atlantic Bridge & Engineering

Install Date: 2020

Design Engineering Company: HNTB

Bridge Owner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation

 

Project Description:  The Chelsea Viaduct carries 84,000 vehicles per day on US Route 1 through Chelsea, Massachusetts from the County Road Overpass to the Tobin Bridge. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the viaduct has 76 spans that traverse over Fifth Street, Arlington Street, MBTA Commuter Rail, Spruce Street, Carter Street, and Orange Street. The project limits span ¾ mile.  Route 1 is a primary route into Boston for commuters from the north shore and carries MBTA Bus Route 111, the 3rd largest MBTA bus route serving 11,800 passengers per weekday.  The contract included rehabilitation of the Chelsea Viaduct, the reconstruction of associated on/off ramps, the rehabilitation of a portion of the Tobin Bridge upper deck, and improvements to parking lots and surface streets below the viaduct. The project addressed structural deficiencies providing a new 75-year design life. The substructure was repaired and retrofitted to support regulatory weight requirements for the new structure.

Notable Features of Project: Several of the most logistically challenging spans were rebuilt with 198 precast grid deck panels (approx. 28,000 SF).  These portions of the project were demolished and reconstructed during several 55-hour weekend shutdowns.  Both fully filled and partially filled precast grid deck sections were utilized on the project.