Governor Deval L. Patrick

Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray

EOEA Secretary Ian A. Bowles

Storrow Drive Traffic Management: Videos outlining proposed changes Alternate 2 | Alternate 3
Press Release (12/21/07)
	Department of Conservation and Recreation 251 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02114 617-626-1250

DCR to Rehabilitate the Storrow Drive Tunnel

Rebuilding the existing tunnel faster, less expensive than other options

Impacts of all alternatives for construction management to be carefully considered

BOSTON – SEPT. 14, 2007 – Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced that DCR is proposing to rehabilitate the 55-year-old Storrow Drive tunnel rather than pursue more expensive, more time-consuming alternatives for updating a section of the parkway that carries 103,000 vehicles a day – eastbound traffic through the tunnel while westbound cars ride on top – through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.

After a nearly two-year design process, which included input from two citizens advisory committees, Commissioner Sullivan has chosen the tunnel renovation as the best of several options developed by the design firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. “Option A,” as the renovation is called, is the least expensive and least time-consuming option that maintains traffic capacity.

“This has been a lengthy and painstaking design process, and with good reason,” Commissioner Sullivan said. “With much hard work and input from the members of our two advisory committees, whom I thank very much for their service, I have come to the conclusion that renovating the existing tunnel is the best option for making this important roadway safe and reliable for another 50 years or more. I look forward to continued discussion and public input as we move ahead.”

The next step involves considering the impact of various methods of managing the construction of the tunnel over two years or more, Commissioner Sullivan said. DCR and Simpson Gumpertz engineers have identified four possible approaches to the work, and each has significant impacts on traffic flow, Back Bay neighbors and businesses, and the Esplanade parkland during construction. The four alternatives are:

Full closure of Storrow Drive: All traffic would be diverted to local streets for 18 months. Daytime construction (7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.); 22 trees lost on Back Street and Esplanade. Cost: $40 million

Temporary eastbound bypass road alongside Back Street, nighttime shutdown of westbound traffic: Maintain 80 percent of daytime traffic flow; divert westbound traffic to local streets at night. Nighttime construction (9 p.m.–6 a.m.), for 29 months; 70 trees lost on Back Street and Esplanade. Cost: $40 million

Temporary eastbound bypass road alongside Back Street, temporary westbound bypass road on Esplanade: Maintain 80 percent of traffic flow; daytime construction, for 22 months; 89 trees lost on Back Street and Esplanade. Cost: $50 million

Elevated parkway detour: Full closure of Storrow Drive westbound for three weeks for construction of temporary elevated roadway, then maintain 80 percent of traffic flow. Daytime construction, for 34 months. At least 100 trees lost on Back Street and Esplanade. Cost: $65 million

In the coming weeks, DCR will present these construction-management alternatives for public consideration and seek input on the difficult tradeoffs these options represent in the interest of identifying the best way to meet the needs of the public during construction.

“It turns out there is no painless way to rebuild a tunnel on a heavily used urban parkway,” said Commissioner Sullivan. “We are looking for feedback from all impacted constituencies as we consider the best way to manage this difficult but essential project.”

Commissioner Sullivan also noted that all of the alternatives will have an impact on DCR parkland, including the Esplanade, and that the agency is fully committed to restoring its properties to pre-construction condition.

“As steward of the Commonwealth’s parks, I am duty-bound to restore the parkway and the Esplanade to original condition, if not better, once the new tunnel is completed,” said Commissioner Sullivan. “That’s my obligation, and my pledge, no matter what construction method is employed.”

Summary Comparison of Short-Listed Tunnel Reconstruction Methods

Construction Management Options for Tunnel Rehabilitation

DCR home Contact DCR Disclaimer Privacy policy

Commissioner
Rick Sullivan

History of Project

including

Landscape and Transportation Advisory Committees Joint Committee

Information

---

Page Updated September 2007