This complex project consisted of a portion of the design of the interchange between the proposed Central Artery and the proposed Route I-90 extension and is generally situated between the MBTA's South Station Terminal, the existing Central Artery, West Fourth Street and Dorchester Avenue. The site location encompasses most, if not all, of the southbound operating railroad lines of the MBTA, AMTRAK and CSX Corporation.

The survey and mapping effort included data accumulation (existing conditions) of the MBTA's Cabot Yard, AMTRAK's Dorchester Branch and Wye connector to AMTRAK Main Line. The field work within the railroad facilities included detail locations of tracks, bridge components and critical utilities, the determination of bridge clearances, and providing profiles and cross sections including rails, and the field layout for borings.

The survey effort also required the complete detailing of four bridges crossing the Fort Point Channel: they include, Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester Branch, Railroad, Wye Connector, Railroad, and the Broadway Viaduct. Extensive surveys were also performed on the Massachusetts Turnpike off-ramp to Kneeland Street.

Due to the nature and sensitivity of the area of the survey, several entry permits had to be obtained prior to our field work. Permits were required from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, AMTRAK, the Consolidated Rail Corporation (now CSX), Bay Colony Railroad, and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

Surveys were performed with electronic total stations and data collectors which are downloaded into AutoCAD, then edited and integrated with the Central Artery's electronic data base. ASEC pre- programmed the data collectors with the latest Central Artery CADD symbols and layering system. The in-house plan work was completed in AutoCAD with several successful test translations to GDS (Central Artery CAD system) to prepare base plans.

ASEC was responsible for the preparation of preliminary, intermediate and final Right of Way plans. As of today, many revised submission plans (due to design changes) have created. This complex design and construction project required thirty-nine plan sheets and contained sixty-eight fee and easement takings, many of which are on lands of various railroads and public authorities.

ASEC prepared demolition plans for the Rapid Press Building and for the partial removal of the existing Post Office Garage to facilitate the Ramp D Tunnel, and prepared plans to reconstruct the demolished portion of the garage.

CLIENT:
Maguire/Harris
A Joint Venture
225 Foxborough Boulevard
Foxborough, MA 02035

OWNER:
Massachusetts Highway Department

FEE:
$3,800,000