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Dear Community Member:
We at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recognize that
construction projects in the Charles River Basin are of strong interest to the
community, including nearby residents; local businesses; health, educational,
and cultural institutions; and the commuting public. With rehabilitation efforts
on Storrow Drive and Bowker Ramp H slated for 2008, we are committed to
establishing an effective process to communicate project details and
developments with our constituents.
Over the next several months, DCR will be implementing a series of steps to
facilitate information-sharing with the public on these projects. These will
include public meetings, email updates to stakeholders, and the posting of
information to the DCR website, www.mass.gov/dcr. In addition, to provide a
direct point of contact for the public, I have asked Anne Fiesinger of DCR's
Office of External Affairs and Partnerships to serve as the information liaison
on Charles River Basin projects.
At this time, I want to update you on immediate and interim repairs for to the
Storrow Drive Tunnel.
Last November, DCR began $430,000 in immediate repairs to the drainage system
and structural beams of the tunnel and announced we would be undertaking interim
repairs while a long-term construction plan is finalized.
That same month, our agency hired LMI Government Consulting, a nationally
recognized nonprofit consulting firm headquartered near Washington, D. C., to
conduct a peer review of the Storrow Drive Tunnel project, including a technical
engineering review. The preliminary findings by LMI have reinforced the
recommendations of DCR engineers and the agency's consultant, SGH Consulting
Inc., that interim repairs will maintain and ensure the integrity of the Tunnel.
Construction on the $8-$10 million interim repair project, which will include
replacing deteriorated concrete in the roof and wall sections and installing
waterproofing membranes in roof joints to prevent water seepage, is expected to
begin in April and last approximately nine months. I want to assure you that the
agency is committed to seeing that the work performed creates the least possible
disruption to traffic flow and quality-of-life in surrounding areas.
This week, DCR advertised for the project, and we expect to award the contract
for the interim repairs in March. Prior to the start of construction, DCR will
hold a public meeting to outline plans for traffic management and other
construction issues. If, in the meantime, you have questions or concerns on this
or other Charles River Basin projects, or to subscribe for future email updates
that will be sent as project milestones are reached, please contact Anne
Fiesinger at anne.fiesinger@state.ma.us or 617-626-1312.
I appreciate your interest in this important project and look forward to
receiving your input and feedback as the planning and construction processes
continue.
One final note: This week, we are doing some repairs on the Bowker Overpass, and
tonight especially, much of the work will be quite noisy. We apologize in
advance for the disturbance.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
DCR Commissioner
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