COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

STATE SENATOR
MICHAEL O. MOORE

SECOND WORCESTER DISTRICT
State House, Room 518, Boston, MA  02133 (617) 722-1485

 July 15, 2009

MASSHIGHWAY ANNOUNCES PLEASANT ST BRIDGE
IN GRAFTON OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Innovative Design/Build Construction Process Used

GRAFTON, MA — As part of Governor Deval Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, MassHighway today announced that the Pleasant Street Bridge in Grafton is now open to traffic due to funding made possible from the historic $3 billion, eight-year Accelerated Bridge Program.  Using an innovative Design/Build streamlined construction process, MassHighway was able to open the bridge to traffic many months earlier than the normal construction timeframe.  Because construction is still underway to complete the $5 million bridge replacement project over the Blackstone River, drivers are urged to be cautious while traveling over the bridge.

“Using the innovative Design/Build process has allowed MassHighway to open the bridge to traffic much faster than would have happened under the traditional construction schedule, which I know is a relief to local residents,” said MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky. “We will continue to seek innovative and creative solutions that will make a real difference in people’s lives as projects are completed faster and bridges open quicker.”

The design/build process helps cut project completion times by compressing the traditional design/bid/build construction process into a system in which one contractor is responsible for design and construction of a project. The Grafton project was the first of four that MassHighway has identified for the design/build delivery method. A contract for a six-bridge project along Interstate 495 in Lowell has also been awarded. The two other projects involve the Whittier Bridge on Interstate 95 in Amesbury/Salisbury; and the Fore River Bridge in Quincy/Weymouth.  To view a photo slideshow of the Grafton project visit: http://www.eot.state.ma.us/acceleratedbridges/

“I know the re-opening of the Pleasant Street Bridge is very important to the residents of Grafton,” said Senator Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury.  “The Commonwealth has shown a sincere commitment towards improving the roads and bridges in the Town of Grafton.  I am pleased to once again see the bridge open and the strong infrastructure investments that have been made to address the safety and convenience of area residents.”

“Although I know that it has been extremely frustrating with the bridge being closed for so many years, I certainly want to thank MassHighway and Commissioner Paiewonsky for elevating this project to the expedited bridge and road program, which has advanced the bridge to its completion,” stated Representative George Peterson (R-Grafton). “ This bridge is an integral roadway for our community, and I am tremendously pleased that it is now open.”

"The Town is very pleased that this bridge has been completed and open for use,” said Town Administrator Timothy P. McInerney. “The State should be commended for using an innovation like design/build to get this project completed so quickly.  This project was well done and the residents and local officials are happy to see the Pleasant Street Bridge  restored consistent with its historic façade."  

The contractor on the Grafton project, SPS New England of Salisbury, used a substantial amount of precast material for the project which reduced construction time.  The former Pleasant Street Bridge was a modest, two-span, stone voussoir barrel-arch highway bridge, representative of a stone arch bridge revival. It served as an important link between the mill village of Saundersville and Grafton Center. It was originally built in 1909 by contractor Peter F. Kenney of Worcester.

A total of 543 MassHighway and DCR bridges were structurally deficient when the Accelerated Bridge Program was planned. Without the funding provided by the Accelerated Bridge Program, that number would have increased to nearly 700 structurally deficient bridges by 2016.  The Accelerated Bridge Program will instead reduce the number of structurally-deficient bridges to approximately 450. The program will create thousands of engineering and construction jobs and provide long term savings in avoided inflation and deferred maintenance costs.

The Accelerated Bridge Program will provide the latest information on project progress on the interactive ABP website, www.mass.gov/acceleratedbridges.

Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan combines a range of state and federal funding sources to provide immediate and long-term economic relief. The Massachusetts Recovery Plan positions the Commonwealth for recovery in the following ways:

• Deliver immediate relief by investing in the road, bridge and rail projects that put people to work today and providing safety net services that sustain people who are especially vulnerable during an economic crisis;
• Use public infrastructure improvements to leverage private investment and broad-based economic development;
• Build a better tomorrow through education and infrastructure investments that strengthen our economic competitiveness, prepare workers for the jobs of the future and support clean energy, broadband and technology projects that cut costs while growing the economy; and
• Reform state government by eliminating the pension and ethics loopholes that discredit the work of government and revitalize the transportation networks that have suffered from decades of neglect and inaction.

For news and updates visit EOT’s transportation blog: http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/

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