LYNN — Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has reduced the scope of its work for the ongoing repairs on Route 1A at the General Edwards Drawbridge at the Revere/Lynn line.
The construction that originally started Aug. 17 focused on addressing structural deterioration at one location beneath the bridge median, and replacing the deteriorating concrete median barrier with a temporary steel barrier.
On Aug. 19, MassDOT commenced installation of a fixed work zone on North Shore Road (Route 1A) to access and repair the deteriorated areas beneath the bridge median. This fixed work zone involves a continuous closure of the left travel lane on Route 1A northbound.
However, starting the week of Aug. 25, MassDOT has eliminated the replacement of the center median barrier aspect of the project. Instead, the construction will focus “solely on the necessary structural repairs to a targeted area on the underside of the bridge,” according to a press release from MassDOT. MassDOT’s contractor also added a second shift by increasing its workforce.
These changes to the project are expected to significantly reduce the overall schedule of the project, and were made to “minimize the weekday afternoon peak period traffic impacts associated with the fixed work zone,” according to the press release.
The Route 1A northbound left lane will still remain closed until the work is complete due to the location of the structural work. This lane begins in the area near the Lynnway on-ramp in Revere, across the General Edwards Bridge, and ends in the area near Hanson Street in Lynn. Route 1A southbound will be temporarily reduced from two lanes to one lane across the bridge as needed during overnight hours Sunday through Thursday evenings, from 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning.
“Variable message signs are being placed at Mahoney (Bell) Circle and Butler Circle (near Wonderland) to alert drivers of the work so they can consider alternative routes. MassDOT also worked with mapping companies to update their sites and applications to reflect the continuous lane closure to better route traffic through and around the work zone,” the press release reads.
All scheduled work is weather-dependent and subject to change without notice. Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
