Burns Bridge Travel Advisory

via MassDOT:

KENNETH F. BURNS MEMORIAL BRIDGE (ROUTE 9 OVER LAKE QUINSIGAMOND )

REPLACEMENT PROJECT

SOUTH SIDEWALK DEMOLITION WORK CONTINUES

EXPECT NIGHT LANE CLOSURES

 

MassDOT will continue demolition work onthe south (eastbound) sidewalk of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge between Worcester and Shrewsbury.  This sidewalk will remain closed until late 2013 when the new eastbound bridge opens.  Sidewalk demolition is expected to be fully complete during the week of September 17th.   This removal is a project requirement to allow the start of construction on the replacement Burns Bridge.  Demolition of the sidewalk will take place at night from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.   As has been stated in public information meetings and on the project website, this night work is a project requirement to ensure that all lanes on the bridge can be available to commuters during peak travel periods. 

During the week of September 10, 2012 through the week of September 17th, motorists should expect nightly lane closures, Monday through Friday, of the eastbound lanes (from Worcester to Shrewsbury).  Beginning at approximately 9:00 p.m., the eastbound low speed lane will close.  Later in the evening, alleastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound lanes of the bridge at the intersection of Route 9/Lake Avenue and returned to the eastbound lanes of Route 9 at the Route 9/Quinsigamond Avenue intersection.  This closure is a project necessity to allow demolition machinery and workers unimpeded access to the south sidewalk.  MassDOT recommends that drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for trips through the work zone, especially over the next several weeks.  Drivers are reminded to reduce speed and exercise caution when traveling through the site.  The lane shift will be configured to allow the passage of emergency vehicles if needed.

MassDOT and its design/build team are aware of the many pedestrians that use the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge to travel between Worcester and Shrewsbury and that closure of the south sidewalk will present an inconvenience.  To address this, upgrades to the crosswalks, sidewalks, wheelchair ramps and pedestrian signals will be made at the Lake Avenue/Belmont Street intersection.   In addition, Worcester RTA will provide a shuttle bus service three times a week for senior citizens between Lincoln Park Towers and the White City Shopping Plaza .  Shuttle service is expected to run through the end of 2014. 

Activate Boylston

Clive McFarlane writes a column about voter intimidation, and suddenly Activate Worcester’s website is unavailable.  Coincidence?

I’ve previously expressed my feelings about the tea party’s “activism” in Worcester.  It’s nice that they prompted the Election Commission to better train poll workers.

The better to fight people who would intimidate voters.

On an episode of the Activate Worcester program, Bonnie Johnson said, “Clean elections means you show your ID to vote.”

And she’s obviously willing to do whatever it takes to enforce her idea of clean elections, law be damned.

The Board of Election Commissioners is meeting on Monday, September 10 at 5:30 in Esther Howland Chamber of City Hall.

I highly recommend attending.