Comm Ave Bridge Project Recapped in Pictures

BU photographers capture phase two of major construction undertaking

September 5, 2018
3
Twitter Facebook

For the thousands of students returning to campus last week, it was smooth sailing on Comm Ave, despite some heavier than usual congestion. But that congestion paled in comparison to just a few weeks ago, when the avenue and the BU Bridge were closed to most vehicular traffic during phase two of the Comm Ave Bridge reconstruction project. Phase one of the commonwealth’s massive undertaking to rebuild the concrete surface and steel beams that support Comm Ave as it passes over the Mass Pike (the intersection diagonally in front of the GSU) was done last summer.

For just over two weeks, starting July 26, MBTA Green Line B trolleys were replaced with shuttle buses from Blandford Street to Babcock Street as construction crews working 24/7 used accelerated bridge construction techniques—including prefabricated girders and concrete deck panels—to replace the bridge’s westbound lane. The $110 million project, scheduled to finish on August 11, was completed on time. An average of 200 workers were on site at any given time during each 24-hour period. This summer’s project stats: 45 bridge beams collectively weighing 66 tons, 680 cubic yards of concrete, and 520 tons (a million pounds) of hot mix asphalt.

The good news? The new bridge is expected to last for 75 years.

BU Today photographers trekked out to the site almost every day, often in sweltering heat, to document this engineering marvel. Take a look.

  • Share this story
  • 3 Comments Add

Share

Comm Ave Bridge Project Recapped in Pictures

Share

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 3 comments on Comm Ave Bridge Project Recapped in Pictures

  2. I hope the state now looks at new signage to go along with the adjusted lanes and traffic patterns. One year in, and far too many drivers on the Commonwealth eastbound approach don’t realize the right 2 lanes are right turn only to Mountfort Street, not just the 1 right lane of the past. There are still 2 left lanes for Comm Ave and the BU Bridge loop traffic to go through, but far too many drivers get into the right lanes that do not want to go right.

    The reconfiguration of the Carlton Street overpass to have 3 lanes is mostly working, but far too many drivers are using it for BU Bridge traffic, blocking University Road.
    New overhead signage would help, as would possibly altering the traffic islands at the complex Carlton/Mountfort/Lenox Street intersection. The new right lane for University and Comm Ave East traffic is major progress forward, but its use is being hampered by drivers that don’t know (or don’t care) about the new configuration.

    Reply
    Link

  3. The new timing for the bike lights is horrible (not to mention the visibility of them). It’s clear that biking and sustainable transportation is a low priority for MassDOT.

    Reply
    Link

Post a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from BU Today