Archives for November 2016

Needham-Wellesley I-95 Add-A-Lane Project Update

posted on November 15, 2016

Throughout the week of November 14th, 2016, Barletta Heavy Division (BHD), MassDOT’s contractor for the Route 128 Add-a-Lane Bridge V project, will continue construction operations. Work will be performed project-wide during the standard working hours of 7:00AM to 3:00PM.
The weekend of the 11th also includes third shift work between the hours of 7:00PM and 5:00AM at Central Avenue.

At Kendrick Street, installation of the median barrier south of the Kendrick Street median will occur throughout the week.

At Highland Avenue, forming and reinforcing of the west abutment wall will occur Monday through Wednesday, November 14th through 16th, followed by pouring of the wall on Thursday November 17th. Forming and reinforcing of the east abutment footing will occur Monday through Thursday, and pouring will occur on Friday. Excavation and prep for pier footings will occur throughout the week.

From Kendrick Street to the Highland Avenue median, the project team will be installing drainage along the Southbound platform, and installing guardrail between Kendrick and Highland on both Northbound and Southbound sides throughout the week.

At Central Avenue, night work will include removal of the existing guardrail and setting up the work zone along Northbound shoulder, and installation of temporary barrier along the southbound shoulder on Monday and Tuesday, November 14th and 15th. Night work will also include removal of existing guardrail and setting up the work zone on the southbound shoulder on Wednesday and Thursday (November 16th and 17th).

At Route 9, the week of November 14th will include demolition for installation of approach slab for Support of Excavation (SOE), installation of Stage 2 SOE, and excavation for Stage 2 SOE.

BHD will be closing lanes during off-peak hours to continue construction of all bridges. Lane closures are permitted and are necessary to create a safe work zone; drivers are asked to be aware of possible lane closures for their own safety and that of the project team. Please also note that all work is contingent upon the weather

Needham Diversity Summit

posted on November 15, 2016

“Be careful with your thoughts; they become words. Be careful with your words; they become actions. Be careful your actions, they become habits. Be careful with your habits, they become character. Be careful with your character; it becomes your destiny.” Please join me for Needham’s 5^th annual Diversity Summit hosted at the Pollard School. The Summit aims to bring together Needham’s diverse range of community members to continue to build an equitable and welcoming Town. Leaders, friends, neighbors, and students interested in learning more and taking action are encouraged to participate. More information on this event can be found on the Needham Diversity Initiative website.

Extended Social Services Hours at the Center at the Heights

posted on November 14, 2016

Do you or someone you know need support, counseling, information or referral services? With the support of the Metrowest Health Foundation and the Needham Council on Aging, Needham seniors and their families can now seek support, counseling and information referral services on Mondays from 5:30pm to 8pm at the Center at the Heights. For more information, please see the attached flyer!

Needham-Wellesley I-95 Add-A-Lane Project Impacts Drivers November 11-13

posted on November 10, 2016

Needham-Wellesley I-95 Add-A-Lane Project Impacts Drivers November 11-13

At the I-95 and Route 9 area

Needham –The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that this weekend, due to Add-A-Lane Project construction activities, from approximately 8 p.m., November 11, through November 13, the on-ramp from Route 9 eastbound and westbound to I-95 northbound will be closed, in addition to closure of the breakdown lane on the northbound side of I-95, to accommodate full depth excavation, construction, and paving of the mainline and new ramp.

Once work is complete, traffic will be switched over to the newly constructed bridge and on-ramp, prior to the Monday morning commute. Appropriate signage and police details will be present to guide traffic to the detoured routes.

For through traffic on I-95 Northbound:

The right travel lane will be used exclusively for exit traffic during this shift. Stay in the left three lanes.
Detour signage will be provided for motorists who inadvertently exit the highway at Route 9. These motorists will be directed to make a U turn at Sun Life Financial in order to return to I-95.

For Route 9 Westbound to I-95 Northbound:

Take the I-95 Southbound on-ramp
Proceed on I-95 Southbound to Highland Avenue
Take Exit 19A for Highland Avenue eastbound
Take the next right for the on-ramp to I-95 northbound

For Route 9 Eastbound to I-95 Northbound:

Take the I-95 southbound on-ramp
Proceed on I-95 southbound to Highland Avenue
Take Exit 19A for Highland Avenue eastbound
Take the next right for the on-ramp to I-95 northbound

Appropriate signage will be placed on Route 9 and the I-95 mainline to warn drivers of the upcoming work. In case of inclement weather, operations will shift to the following weekend. Motorists should exercise caution and allow additional time for their trip during construction operations.

Meanwhile, a traffic shift which was implemented on October 14 in this area for vehicles on I-95 Northbound will continue through November 13 and is as follows: I-95 Northbound traffic will have a shared exit lane when getting off I-95 Northbound for Route 9 Eastbound and Route 9 Westbound.

For more information about this project, please visit the MassDOT website .

REMINDER: Starting Thursday at 8pm Commuter Rail Service is Suspended for Veterans Day

posted on November 10, 2016

All commuter rail service to Needham will be suspended from Thursday evening, November 10th after 8pm until Monday morning, November 14th.

FAQ’s

What are my other options for getting from Boston towards Needham Thursday evening after 8 pm?

From South Station or Back Bay Station take the following lines:

Framingham / Worcester line to Wellesley Farms or Wellesley Hills

Providence / Stoughton Line to Route 128 station (no bus service to Needham) but plenty of parking.

Franklin Line to Dedham Corporate Center parking is available as well as connection to the # 52 bus to Spring Street/ Charles River Loop for pick up.

Fairmount Line also services Rte. 128 Station, but could transfer at Readville station to the Dedham Mall/Corporate Center, if more convenient for pick up.

Orange Line at Forest Hills: take the #35 bus , 34E bus to the Dedham Mall

#36 bus to Spring St. or Charles River loop Dedham for pick up

How do I get to Kenmore Station? Take the Green Line “B, C, D” Branch from Park St Sta. to Kenmore Station.

Green Line “B” Branch #57 bus from Kenmore Busway or Packard’s Corner to the Watertown Yard

Green Line “D” Branch

Newton Center; Newton Highlands; Eliot Station, Waban; Woodland, Riverside stations for pick up.

Express Bus

#502 bus St James at Dartmouth St. (not far from Back Bay Station/Copley) to Newton Corner.

#501 and #503 bus Brighton Center to Copley Square

#504 bus from Watertown Yard to Newton Corner.

#558 bus from Surface Artery @ Kneeland St. (South Station Bus terminal) also picks up at Federal St and Franklin St, travels to Riverside (Green line)

What are my options for Friday morning?

Drive or carpool to one of the stations named above and take the corresponding public transportation that’s available

Resources

For more specific information please check schedules for departure times online http:/www.mbta.com/ go to: maps and schedules.

Call Customer Service 617-222-3200 (TTY) 617-222-5146

If you are unfamiliar with the website: use the Rider Tools/ Trip Planner and input your origin and destination information.

Tolling System for Needham, Dover and Medfield Travelers

posted on November 8, 2016

Motorists traveling on the Massachusetts Turnpike should expect delays beginning this week. The Commonwealth will launch all-electronic tolling systems. To complete this initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation must demolish all existing toll plazas. “While we recognize that our customers may face some short term inconvenience as the toll booths come down and as we all adjust to this new system, the benefits of improved safety, reduced congestion, and improved air quality will be of long lasting, and significant benefit for the people of the Commonwealth and beyond,” shared Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. To ensure the safety and success of this project, drivers are encouraged to slow down at construction sites and consider whether additional transportation options may be in their best interest. According to MassDOT, demolition will largely take place during the winter months and is expected to be completed by the end of the 2017 calendar year.