mass.streetsblog.org
It's odd that the above narrative from MassDOT is focused narrowly on preserving an aging and ill-suited roadway system. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. How about establishing a new paradigm that downsizes the current lane-miles in the state highway system, and increases the network of passenger and freight rail and multi-use paths. Why commit the vast majority of resources towards perpetuating a failing car-centric system?MassDOT Highway Administrator Discusses Challenges of Aging Highways and Rising Costs - Streetsblog Massachusetts
MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver says that the state’s roadways are at a “critical inflection point” with aging assets, a surge of new funding from Fair Share, and an urgency to deliver safer infrastructure, faster. Gulliver spoke at a September 24th event with the Greater Boston...
Reduced a lot of rusting of vehicles as well.
Is that the narrative you took from this interview? It seemed to me like it was all about innovative management and construction techniques that often involved demand management. Most of the bridges he was talking about are 2 lanes wide... are you suggesting MassDOT just get rid of them?
MassHighway is a bit of a misnomer, they're responsible for all massdot surface roads and the massdot owned shared-use-paths. They're responsible for bike/ped along with motor vehicles.
I'm mostly talking about downsizing expressway lanes, and in some cases entire expressways, not taking out local and arterial bridges that cross over waterways and railroads. Anyway, I did indeed find the article highway-centric. Gulliver is the Highway Administrator, but these public releases set the tone for the agency, and when they talk about roads and road bridges only, it sets the wrong tone. MassDOT has historically been a road agency, and time and again they come across as being stuck in that mode.
mass.streetsblog.org
If you are referring to the draw mechanism, yes I agree -- seems it is a rare (in the US) Dutch-style bascule bridge where all the draw mechanism (machinery room, counter weight) is overhead to protect the mechanicals from flooding. Design was selected to protect the crossing from climate change damage.
spsne.com
STV, the designers (vs SPS, the builders) actually recently posted about this. Their reasoning is below.
I switched out of the engineering track fairly early on, but this bridge reminded me a lot less of a Dutch draw, the "double beam" drawbridge, and more of a Strauss bascule from the 1930s, and a quick double check with Google of that makes me pretty sure that SPS isn't correct in calling it a dutch draw. Since this is now a deck bridge and not a through truss, STV's logic make more sense in displacing the operating elements out of reach. The "operating strut" is no longer a rack gear, but linked to that segmental gear which conveniently lines up next to the machinery room.
mass.streetsblog.org
That is absolutely awesome, and the perfect solution.Update on the highway teardown in Fall River. Looking good!
Eyes on the Street: The Fall of a Freeway in Fall River - Streetsblog Massachusetts
The demolition of MassDOT's blighted Route 79 expressway opens up 19 acres of land for new housing next to Fall River's MBTA station.
Looks wonderful. Like everywhere in Ma fall river needs lots of housing too so what a gift it is to get a massive new stretch of greenfield land right next to the commuter rail station. I really hope they follow through with the plan and build it out very densely. They could add a serious amount of new units here. On top of that itd be nice to see them also redevelop the waterfront. With southcoast rail now up and running its the perfect time for the town to get a huge amount of land to add housing. If nimbys dont squash everything down it could be huge. I think now would also be the perfect time to remove any parking requirements, before they start building.Update on the highway teardown in Fall River. Looking good!
Eyes on the Street: The Fall of a Freeway in Fall River - Streetsblog Massachusetts
The demolition of MassDOT's blighted Route 79 expressway opens up 19 acres of land for new housing next to Fall River's MBTA station.
www.facebook.com
This brick structure is attractive and worth saving, and should be repurposed into a non-auto facility. Convert it to pedestrian and bike path only, with landscaping suitable for a land-bridge type structure, similar to the High Line in NYC. I would remove the westbound section of the bridge to make room for rerouting memorial Drive to the north side of the remaining eastbound bridge:“MassDOT is hosting a virtual public meeting to share plans to replace the William Reid Overpass over Brookline Street in Cambridge, including proposed improvements to the intersection below. Cambridge residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback at the virtual meeting on Tuesday, January 6.”
Learn more and register: https://camb.ma/3KTMmza
View attachment 69837
