Summary

This summer, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) began constructing the realignment of Pawtucket Boulevard.  Additionally, the ongoing rehabilitation of the Tyngsborough Bridge is nearing its final phase.  The Town of Tyngsborough has maintained ongoing discussion with MassDOT and their contractors, S & R Corporation and D.W. White, over the past few months.

As has been clearly visible, much progress has been made on both projects in recent weeks, however with the end of the summer approaching, the beginning of the school year in the next two weeks, and the corresponding increase in traffic volume, the public should expect delays when traversing the bridge and the intersections at Middlesex and Kendall Roads, Pawtucket Boulevard at Frost Road, and Sherburne Avenue at Frost Road.

The public is advised to plan accordingly and allow extra time when traversing these areas.  Travelers who wish to avoid traffic and associated delays are encouraged to seek alternate Merrimack River crossings in Hudson, NH or Lowell.

In consultation with the Town of Tyngsbroough, MassDOT has erected variable message signs at key locations advising travelers to seek alternate routes.  These locations include Westford and Kendall Roads near Route 3, Frost Road near Lakeview Avenue, Colburn Road near Sherburne Avenue, and Pawtucket Boulevard near Vesper Country Club.  Additionally, police details will be present during high volume times as needed.

As construction progresses, notices and signs will be updated to reflect any associated road closings or detours.  The public’s attention to signage and notices at www.tyngsboroughma.gov is greatly appreciated.  The Town is also in communication with, and will be forwarding notice to parents/students in, Tyngsborough public schools, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Innovation Academy, and the Academy of Notre Dame School.

The Latest from MassDOT

Tyngsborough Route 133 Relocation Project

D.W. White has shut down Sherburne Ave between Frost Road and Indian Lane in order to begin Phase II of the project and tie in the new relocated Frost Road with the Relocated Pawtucket Blvd. This road closure will remain in effect until the Relocated Pawtucket Blvd is complete and can be reopened to traffic. The contractor has paved the base course and intermediate course for the cross country section of the relocated Pawtucket Blvd between Sherburne Ave and Pawtucket Blvd. and has brought up the proposed Frost Road/ Relocated Pawtucket Blvd. intersection to gravel grade.   The Contractor has also backfilled, graded and compacted the new Indian Lane Section between Frost Road and Parker Road to gravel grade.  In addition, the contractor is installing drainage structures and piping on proposed Frost Rd/Relocated Pawtucket Blvd. intersection, Parker Road, and Sherburne Ave East of Indian Lane.

 

Verizon has installed the new utility poles on Indian Lane which will be used to relocate utility lines from Sherburne Ave over to Indian Lane.

 

National Grid Gas has completed installing the new gas main in the new Relocated Pawtucket Blvd/ Frost Road Intersection.

 

National Grid Electric is presently on site installing new electric lines on the new utility poles. They should be completed with the new electric line installation by the end of the week of  November 7, 2011. After National Grid completes the electric line installation, Verizon can then perform the telephone line installation on the new poles.

 

The contractor is presently pouring traffic signal mast arm foundations and installing plastic conduit in order to convey the traffic signal wiring from the loop detectors to the traffic signal mast arms and control box at the new Frost Road/Relocated Pawtucket Blvd Intersection.

 

The new Frost Road/ Relocate Pawtucket Blvd intersection is scheduled to be paved on Monday October 31st and Tuesday November 1, 2011 weather permitting.

 

There will also pulverizing of the road where the project ties into the existing roadway. Pulverizing is the process of tearing up the existing pavement and gravel beneath it, grinding them up together and then placing the mixed gravel/pavement back into the road as “reclaimed pavement borrow”. The surface will be compacted enough to travel on but will feel slightly rougher than normal pavement.    These pulverized locations will be at Frost Road and Pawtucket Blvd where it ties into the project. Vehicles should slow down and drive with caution over these rough surfaces. These surfaces will remain rough until the project is completely tied in and they will receive a surface pavement.

 

This pulverizing operation takes place outside of the closed off project area and could result in traffic delays due to one lane alternating traffic. The one lane alternating traffic will only take place during work hours and the road will be open to two lanes for the remainder of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tyngsborough Bridge Project

 

 

 

S&R Corporation has completed paving the base and binder course on the west approach of the bridge including the new right turn lane along the MSE Wall.  The contractor has also re-opened Middlesex Road section north of the bridge to two lanes of traffic.

S&R Corporation has also completed setting the proper bridge deck elevations and installing steel rebars on the bridge deck in preparation to pour concrete on the deck.

 

The Contractor has installed granite curbing and guard rail on the west approach of the bridge behind the temporary concrete barrier

Please reference to this maps below provided by the MassDOT regarding the new temporary traffic patterns.

View Route 113 Relocation Project – Sherburne Ave. Detour in a larger map

 

To see  a status report of the project on the MassDOT website see links below:

• BRIDGE REHABILITATION [click here]
• RELOCATION OF PAWTUCKET BLVD/Route 113 [click here]

Full Plans are available for viewing in the Selectmen’s Office at Town Hall during normal business hours.

• For a copy of the MassDOT plans, [Click Here].
  Note: Because of the large size of this file, please save it locally to your computer before opening. You can do so by right-clicking  on download and choosing “Save Link As.”
• For a copy of the Verizon pole petitions, please [click here].
• For a copy of the Verizon conduit petitions, please [click here].
• For a copy of the National Grid request for easement, please [click here].