“Acceler-8-I-90” bridge replacement project update

Above: An update on the three bridges in and one just outside of town scheduled to be replaced this summer. (images cropped from Google Maps)

In December, I updated readers on the state’s preliminary stages for its plans to replace four bridges in/bordering Southborough. Yesterday, I got another update on prep work being done for the “Acceler-8-I-90” project:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will replace bridges on I-90 east and westbound over Flanders Road in Westborough and Parkerville Road, Cordaville Road, and Woodland Road in Southborough. The replacement of the eight bridges (2 spans per bridge) will take place over eight weekends in summer 2021.

The contractor and its subcontractors began preliminary work to prepare for major construction on December 2. Throughout the month of December, the project team completed the following work:

• A site walk to identify invasive plant species at each of the bridges for removal prior to the start of major construction;
• Setting up sound monitoring equipment to measure pre-construction sound levels to develop a noise management plan; and
• A survey of existing conditions on I-90.

Preliminary work will continue in January with additional off-peak lane closures on I-90 to collect survey data and relocate a fiber optic cable underground in the Flanders Road southbound shoulder. The Flanders Road work will take place Monday through Friday during daytime hours.

Public information meetings will be scheduled throughout the project. Please be sure to sign up for the email list to receive meeting notices and project updates.

For questions or to report issues related to the work to the project team, please email A8@dot.state.ma.us.

MassDOT urges those traveling through the area to obey posted speed limits and use caution. The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.