Meeting/Event Information

PRESENTATION #1: NHDOT Bridge Program Update – Find out what has been going on at NHDOT and what is on the horizon.  

SPEAKER: Jennifer Reczek, PE – NHDOT Bureau of Bridge Design Administrator 

SEE THE PRESENTATION HERE

PRESENTATION #2: Commonwealth Avenue Superstructure Replacement

HDR was awarded the design build contract for the superstructure replacement of the Commonwealth Ave bridge completed over two short duration I-90 shutdowns.  The bridge is in the heart of the City of Boston at Boston University campus carrying Commonwealth Ave, Green Line Subway and the Commuter Rail line over the I-90.  The project was a logistical challenge and consisted of two separate closures a year apart (17 days and 15 days) to allow for the demolition and construction of the new superstructure for the Commonwealth Ave bridge. This presentation will review some innovative design approaches that were implemented during design including:  steel girders with precast deck panels on a 63-degree skew, pipe bearing stiffeners, and precast semi-integral backwalls.  The presentation will walk the group through the construction of the project over two separate short closures and highlight some of the key components leading to its successful completion.

HDR was responsible for the design development, submitting and receiving approval of MassDOT for the fabrication and construction.  HDR prepared final designs and attended numerous working sessions during the design development with MassDOT, MBTA, City of Boston, and shareholders in order to make sure that all the prospective parties agreed with the design and construction prior to the short duration closures.  HDR also developed some “what if” scenarios and prepared the responses to those if they were encountered during the short duration closures to have solutions developed and ready to initiate so time would not be lost during construction.  There were steep incentives and disincentives if the Design Build Team did not open I-90, the subway and commuter rail on the dates provided in the RFP documents.

The first construction shutdown took place over 17 days and the Design Build Team needed to demolish over half the existing bridge structure and construct the proposed bridge structure within this window.  The Design Build Team had HDR on-site around the clock to be available to address all construction design impacts and provide a quick response.  HDR requested that the owner’s rep and MassDOT staff be available throughout construction to get immediate review and approvals to not hold up the construction during the short duration closures.  Trailers were set up to house everyone on-site during the short duration closures.  Daily meetings were scheduled to review the construction progress and identify any upcoming concerns for the design team and owners’ staff to address.

The second construction shutdown took place over 15 days a year after the first construction shutdown.  The Design Build Team needed to finish demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of the remaining proposed bridge structure within this window.  The Design Build Team had learned several lessons during the first shutdown that were implemented during this second shutdown to assist with the completion of the work within the short closure duration. 

SPEAKERS: Nicholas Caron, PE and Patrick McAlpine, PE - Project Managers at HDR

Nick is a Project Manager with over 16 years of progressive experience in the development of bridge design projects. He leads our New Hampshire bridge team and is experienced working with state and municipal partners delivering transportation and infrastructure projects with NHDOT. Nick’s technical background is in concrete design, prestressed concrete design, steel design, contract plan and document development, construction inspection, bridge inspection, and bridge load rating.  Nick’s project experience includes design of multiple structures on both the northern and southern segments of the I-93 widening project, numerous municipally managed bridge projects, bridge inspection and load rating contract work, and most currently serving as HDR’s project manager for the Seabrook-Hampton bridge replacement project.

Pat McAlpine is a Bridge Project Manager and Professional Engineer in HDR’s Boston office and has eight years of experience in engineering design and construction. His responsibilities include the modeling and design of bridge systems, review of contract drawings, and responding to construction submittals and RFI’s. Pat has worked on multiple Design Build Projects including the I-91 Rockingham Bridge in Vermont, the Kew Gardens Interchange in New York, and the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Boston. Specifically to the Commonwealth Ave Project, Pat built the finite element models needed, designed the bolster support system, reviewed shop drawing submissions, and provided design support for field changes.

AGENDA:

5:30PM - 6:30PM        Registration and Social Hour

6:30PM - 7:15PM        Dinner

7:15PM - 7:30PM        Business Meeting

7:30PM - 9:00PM        Presentations

DINNER: Buffet with choice of New England Pot Roast and Roasted Vegetable and Three-Cheese Manicotti. Served with a classic caesar salad, tomato basil bisque, herb roasted potatoes, and assorted desserts. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email Katie at [email protected].

PARKING: Overflow parking is available to the north of Gulf Street (see attached map).

REGISTER: By Noon on Thursday, January 18, 2024. There will be a $5.00 late fee for anyone wishing to register past this date.

NOTE: 2.0 PDHs have been assigned for attendance. Attendees are responsible for ensuring their check-in on the attendance list upon arrival at the meeting.