Agawam Bridge
Agawam Bridge
Replacement Project
From October 2018 to July 2021, we took on one of the most significant projects to the Western Massachusetts community. We contracted with MassDOT to replace the Morgan Sullivan bridge which helps carry Route 147 over the Westfield River. This bridge connects two towns that host millions of people per year. The average day traffic is approximately 25,000 per day. Thus, this bridge is extremely important to the local community.
Improving Roadways
To improve roadways, we completely replaced the Morgan Sullivan bridge, reconstructed three signalized intersections, and widened portions of nearby streets. We also built a separate bike lane and new sidewalks along the roadways. In addition, we furnished and installed new guardrails, highway lighting, and loam and seed. These projects have improved the traffic flow on the bridge and overall safety standards.
Working in the Westfield River
This project required in-water work in the Westfield River, which is incredibly volatile during the non-summer months. To navigate this challenge, we resequenced the in-water work by installing sandbag cofferdams that control the water flow around the work site. This design decision allowed us to demolish the existing piers and reconstruct new ones. Overall, these important adjustments helped us complete this work in one phase instead of the originally planned two.
Accessing the Work Site
Accessing the worksite was extremely difficult because we could only enter the water via a MassDOT levee. Also, MassDOT required an Emergency Action Plan and a Levee Protection plan on the W. Springfield side of the bridge. This guideline required us to constantly monitor people exiting the river.
To improve work site access, we designed a temporary earth support wall consisting of soldier piles and lagging. We installed the wall along the existing roadway to support the required vehicular traffic. This roadway was essential in helping us successfully complete this project.
Relocating Utilities
Throughout this project, we constantly needed to relocate utilities so that we could reconstruct different sides of the bridge. This included relocating high pressure gas mains and installing fiber optic lines. By relocating utilities, we were able to avoid delays and meet deadlines. In the summer of 2020, we successfully completed all new utility installations.
The Ongoing Initiative
We began preparing the bridge for construction in October 2018. In July 2021, we finished the entirety of the work—ten months ahead of schedule—improving the daily lives of Massachusetts residents.
WORKING TOGETHER WITH ENGINEERS
We partner closely with engineers to bring their designs to life. We’re pre-qualified with multiple agencies to create an efficient proposal process.
When you work with Northern Construction, you can trust that we pay close attention to every detailed specification and requirement. Sit back and relax as your design transfers from dream into reality.
SAFETY FIRST
We prioritize safety guidelines in our project planning because we care about our clients, construction workers, and communities. Click the link below to see how we consistently exceed safety standards.