PROJECT OVERVIEW

Background
The Kenneth F. Burns Bridge carries Route 9, known as Belmont Street in Worcester and Turnpike Road in Shrewsbury, over Lake Quinsigamond. This is the fifth crossing to be built at this location, the
first being a floating bridge that consisted of logs chained together to carry horse-drawn wagons on the Boston-Worcester Turnpike. The current structure dates from 1916 and has been repaired and reconfigured several times throughout the past ninety years. An evaluation of the structure conducted by MassDOT Highway Division in 2008 determined that the Burns Bridge had deteriorated beyond repair, and although safe, is considered structurally deficient. In addition to regular inspections, a system of temporary supports, routinely monitored by MassDOT Highway Division has been installed in the Burns Bridge to ensure public safety between now and replacement of the structure.  As a result, the structure has been programmed for replacement as part of the Accelerated Bridge Program.

Current Process
MassDOT Highway Division has assembled a design team to conduct a type study and develop the design of the chosen replacement bridge type, known as the preferred alternative, to the 25% design level.  The current design team will also develop the "design/build" procurement documents used to select a best-value design/build entity to finalize the design and construct the new bridge.

The design team has completed and submitted its type study.  Based on the results of the type study and positive comments from the community regarding the bridge type, the design team has recommended that MassDOT replace the current Kenneth F. Burns Bridge with a steel deck arch.  MassDOT has accepted the consultant team's recommendation of a steel deck arch as the preferred alternative.  Based on this acceptance and direction from MassDOT, the design team is in the process of completing the 25% design plans and sketch plans.  A design public hearding has been scheduled for September 21, 2011 to present the latest plans to the public and solicit final comments on the preliminary design.

How was the preferred alternative selected?
Selecting a preferred alternative is one of the major tasks of the preliminary design process.  The type study report, recently completed and accepted by MassDOT, evaluated several bridge types on the following criteria:

• Comments obtained through coordination with stakeholders including members of the public, the municipalities of Shrewsbury and Worcester, recreational users of the lake, major regional institutions such as UMass Medical and others;
• The ability to avoid, minimize and mitigate environmental and right-of-way (ROW) impacts associated with different types;
• The potential to use accelerated construction techniques in order to reduce construction duration and impacts to adjacent businesses;
• Preliminary cost of construction, maintenance, and life-cycle costs over a 75 year design life associated with the different types;
• Bridge aesthetics; and
• Preliminary staging alternatives and the ability to reduce impacts to traffic and adjacent businesses. 

New Lane Configurations to Meet Future Demand
Currently, the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge consists of two eastbound and two westbound lanes.  Narrow shoulders do not permit the passage of emergency vehicles and do not provide bicycle accommodations.  As it is today, the bridge is one eastbound and one westbound lane narrower than the abutting sections of Route 9 in Worcester and Shrewsbury which both include three lanes in each direction.   Westbound left turns at the intersection of Route 9 and Lake Avenue are not permitted today and require vehicles to make a right turn onto Lake Avenue and reverse direction using a u-turn.

The current bridge configuration does not meet current design standards; does not provide accomodations for emergency vehicles; does not provide accommodations for bicyclists and will not be able to hand future projected traffic volumes.  To remedy these deficiencies, the proposed bridge will include:

• Three east and westbound travel lanes for vehicles with shoulders on both the left and right side.
• New ADA accommodating sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.
• Dedidcated bicycle lanes on both sides of the bridge.
• A westbound right turn lane at the intersection of Route 9 and Lake Street to accommodate motorists traveling to UMass and points north from the east.
• A westbound left turn lane at the intersection of Route 9 and Lake Street to accommodate motorists traveling to Lincoln Park Towers and points south from the east.  This will eliminate the current need to make a U-turn on Lake Avenue north of the intersection.  
• The complete reconstruction of the intersection and installation of new traffic signal equipment will allow for an improved alignment approaching the bridge, safe pedestrian accommodations, improved bicycle accommodations and improved levels of service for vehicular traffic.

Project Timeline
Last fall, in compliance with the MEPA process, the design team submitted an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.  Having reviewed the ENF, the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued its MEPA certification on September 24, 2010 indicating that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) would not be required.  Clearing this major environmental milestone has allowed the project to continue with other aspects of permitting and design throughout the winter of 2010-2011.  Permitting status is currently as follows:

• Notice of Intent Applications have been filed and Orders of Conditions issued by the Conservation Commissions of Worcester and Shrewsbury.
• The Water Quality Certificate (WQC) has been filed with the Department of Environmental Protection.
• MassDOT has submitted a letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requesting a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for the project as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
• The Categorical Exclusion and Section 4(f) Evaluation has been submitted to FHWA and is currently under review.  
• The Section 106 adverse effect finding and Memorandum of Agreement have been completed.
• A Chapter 91 license application (regarding work in coastal waters or a great pond - a pond with a surface area larger than 10 acres, like Lake Quinsigamond) has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection.
• Article 97 application is in process and awaiting approval
• Applicable Army Corps of Engineers permits have been requested.
• MassDOT has intiated the Design/Build procurement process by advertising a request for Letters of Interest (LOI) for qualified design/build teams.

Accommodating All Users During Construction
MassDOT Highway Division understands the importance of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge to all users. During construction, two east and westbound lanes and all turning movements currently available will be maintained during peak hours to ensure the flow of traffic is maintained. In addition, access to adjacent businesses will be accommodated at all times during construction.

The bridge plays an important role for local pedestrians, particularly in crossing from homes on the Worcester side of the lake to shopping and dining amenities in Shrewsbury.  MassDOT will maintain pedestrian access on at least one side of the bridge at all times during construction. For temporary pedestrian detours to either side of the bridge, MassDOT will provide safe pedestrian access at all times in compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.  

MassDOT is also well aware of Lake Quinsigamond's importance in terms of sailing and rowing regattas and other boating uses.  The agency has been and will continue to coordinate with the Lake Quinsigamond Commission, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and other users of the lake to ensure the minimum level of disruption possible during construction.  MassDOT has committed to providing a minimum of 50’ horizontal clear opening  under the bridge for recreational users and rowing events during construction.