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<\/a>The commonwealth will begin next summer to replace the aging Comm Ave Bridge over the Mass Pike between BU\u2019s central and west campuses. Graphic courtesy of MassDOT.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nThe public is invited to a meeting<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to discuss a major construction project that will replace the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over the Mass Pike, to be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 2, at 6 p.m. at the College of General Studies Jacob Sleeper Auditorium, 871 Comm Ave. Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the contractor, Walsh Construction Company<\/span><\/a>, a design\/build contractor team, will be on hand to describe the project and its impact on the local and BU communities and to answer questions.<\/span><\/p>\n Work on the two-year, $100 million project, which includes the replacement of a section of the MBTA\u2019s B Line trolley tracks, will begin during summer 2017 and continue in summer 2018. The construction involves the replacement of the deck, at the intersection of the BU Bridge and Essex and Mountfort Streets, with the corners of the construction area at the Mass Pike (I-90) overpass and the sidewalk areas of the BU Academy<\/span><\/a>, the Engineering Product Innovation Center<\/span><\/a>, 808 Comm Ave, and the grassy area at the Comm Ave entrance to the BU Bridge.<\/span><\/p>\n MassDOT, which publishes plans and updates on the project\u2019s website<\/span><\/a>, says the work \u201cwill restore the deteriorating bridge while adding functional and safety improvements, including utility relocation, a revised bike lane layout, and extensive pedestrian upgrades.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n While a BU task force has been included in briefings on the project, all inquiries about specifics should be addressed to MassDOT.<\/span><\/p>\n Walsh Construction Company will use a technique called accelerated bridge construction (ABC) to \u201creduce overall construction duration and impacts to users, improve safety, and limit costs,\u201d according to MassDot. MassDOT rejected conventional bridge replacement techniques because they would prolong construction to between four and five years and cause extended disruption of traffic and T service. \u201cUsing ABC strategies, MassDOT will employ multiple crews working in continuous shifts\u201424 hours a day\u2014to replace the existing bridge, while maintaining traffic flow on the Mass Turnpike (I-90) below with lane reductions,\u201d the MassDOT website states.<\/span><\/p>\n There will be two intensive construction periods, which are projected to result in traffic detours for periods in summers 2017 and 2018. During those periods of disruption, MassDOT will maintain bus service and access for emergency vehicles, local abutters, pedestrians, and bicycles along Commonwealth Avenue. Buses will replace Green Line service. Interstate I-90, which runs below the construction, will have lane reductions.<\/span><\/p>\n MassDOT will host public meetings and briefings throughout 2016, 2017, and 2018. On the project website, interested parties can sign up for email construction updates, view project schedules and detailed maps, download maps of detour routes, and learn more about alternate options for drivers and pedestrians. On request, MassDOT will offer this information in a variety of languages.<\/span><\/p>\n Questions and concerns can be emailed to <\/i>CommAveBridge@dot.state.ma.us<\/i><\/span><\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n