Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Progress on the Bates Bridge
Even though summer temperatures are high that hasn’t stopped the progress being made on the Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River. The continued work by MassDOT officials and the contractor have brought the project to 22% of completion.
Please click "Read more" to view the latest update from MassDOT. Below are two photos of the bridge’s progress.
Release Date August 8, 2010
Municipality Groveland/Haverhill
Project Bridge Reconstruction: Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River
Status 22% complete
Cost $49,750,000
Description The project consists of the replacement of the existing Bates Bridge carrying Routes 97/113 over the Merrimack River with a new bridge located approximately 60 feet downstream. The existing bridge will remain in service during construction of the new bridge and will be demolished once it is placed into service. The proposed bridge will have a movable span similar to the existing bridge. In addition to the 775 feet long bridge, the project includes reconstruction of the approach roadways in Haverhill and Groveland and traffic signal and geometric improvements at the intersection of Groveland Street with Lincoln Avenue in Haverhill and at the intersection of Groveland Street with Main Street near Elm Park in Groveland. Cianbro Corporation from Pittsfield, ME is constructing the project. The contract completion date is June 20, 2014.
The primary elements of the roadway work include excavation, grading, installation of bituminous pavements, curbing, sidewalks, highway guardrail, pavement markings, relocation and/or adjustment of existing utilities, and installation of traffic signal systems.
The primary elements of the bridge work include the construction of a new movable span bridge which includes the installation of drilled shaft foundations, reinforced concrete piers, a structural steel superstructure, a concrete filled grid deck, a moveable bascule lift section, concrete abutments on pile foundations and retaining walls. Temporary cofferdams will be used during the construction of the work, which will include removal of the existing bridge.
Current Project Status – The majority of work within the river continues to be staged from two working barges that are in place to support heavy construction activities. The installation of a concrete tremie (underwater) seal is now complete at pier #2. Dewatering activities within the cofferdam at pier #4 continues along with the installation of the drilled shafts for the new substructure at pier #3. Excavation is also continuing in the area of the new south abutment. Overhead and underground utility relocation work continues on the Groveland side of the project along Main Street.
Note: Additional project information and history can be found by visiting MassDOT’s website at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us and clicking on the Projects tab, then selecting “Current Road and Bridge Projects” and after entering the Town of Groveland or the City of Haverhill, select Project No. 600988.
