Route 16 over MBTA/Rivers Edge Drive Bridge Replacement

BETA was part the design team for this transportation and safety improvement project along Route 16 (Revere Beach Parkway) in Medford and Everett. The project included the complete replacement of two major bridges and the reconstruction of over 3,000 feet of Route 16.

BETA was responsible for the complete design of the Route 16 Bridge over Rivers Edge Drive and the MBTA’s Orange Line and Commuter Rail. Carrying over 70,000 vehicles a day and spanning over the subway and commuter tracks, maintenance of traffic and minimizing impacts to railroad operations dictated a complex construction staging sequence. In addition, extremely poor soils, the staged demolition of the existing substructures, and then construction of the proposed substructures all required the use of multiple deep foundation systems. Deep foundation systems used to support the new bridge included a pile supported integral abutment, micro-piles installed below the existing bridge using low headroom equipment, and a secant pile abutment wall to allow excavation in front of the abutment after completion of the bridge.

The existing three span steel structure was replaced with a longer two span plate girder structure in order to construct the new abutments and reposition the pier outside of the MBTA right-of-way. Work over the MBTA right-of-way was closely coordinated with MassDOT and the MBTA and required multiple weekend diversions of the MBTA Orange Line and Commuter Rail.

BETA was also responsible for the project wide hazardous material investigation, preparation of a soil management plan, and Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plans in accordance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan for multiple sites within the project limits.