Needham, MA- During the weekend of Friday, November 6th to Sunday, November 8th, Barletta Heavy Division (BHD), MassDOT’s contractor for the Route 128 Add-a-Lane Bridge V Project, will conduct weekend operations on Kendrick Street. During this time, the Kendrick Street Bridge will be completely closed for full depth reconstruction of the roadway. The temporary detours will follow the routes described below.
 
Drivers traveling eastbound (towards Newton) on Greendale Avenue and wishing to continue onto Kendrick Street will:

• Turn left onto Hunting Road
• Turn right onto Highland Avenue
• Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Turn left to access Kendrick Street eastbound

 
Drivers traveling westbound (towards Needham) on Kendrick Street and wishing to continue onto Greendale Avenue will:

• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
• Turn left onto Highland Avenue
• Turn left onto Hunting Road
• Turn right to access Greendale Avenue westbound

 
Signage will be provided to direct motorists through the detours. All motorists should allow extra time for their trip and observe all traffic control signage to ensure their own safety, that of pedestrians and cyclists traversing the area and project team members at work. Cyclists especially should use caution during this time as the detours utilize Highland Avenue.
 
For more information about this project, please visit the MassDOT website.

Weekly Look-Ahead
Week of October 26, 2015

Throughout the week of October 26, 2015, Barletta Heavy Division (BHD), MassDOT’s contractor for the Route 128 Add-a-Lane Bridge V project, will continue construction operations. Day shift work will be performed project-wide during the standard working hours of 7:00AM to 3:00PM. Third shift work will be performed during the hours of 7:00PM to 5:00AM at Highland Avenue and along the mainline.

At Kendrick Street, work will include installing utilities, pouring the bridge barrier, and installing the permanent barrier along Wall B. It will also include forming, reinforcing, and pouring the wall and approach slabs. 

At Highland Avenue, work will focus on the installation of structural steel during both the day and third shifts of work.

At Central Avenue, work will focus on forming and reinforcing the wall footings and installing wall dowels.

Along the mainline, work will focus on paving the Kendrick median during the third shift. During the day shifts, work will focus on installing anti-glare paddles.

Looking ahead, it should be noted that during the weekend of November 6 to 8, work is anticipated to include paving and swapping traffic at Kendrick Street. During the weekend of November 13 to 15, the crossover will be implemented.

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

Needham – Wellesley and Newton
Add-A-Lane Contract V along a Section of Interstate 95 Includes 6 Bridges

Weekly Look-Ahead

Week of September 28, 2015

Throughout the week of September 28, 2015, 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 during the standard working hours of 7:00AM to 3:00PM and will take place project-wide.<br />

At Kendrick Street, work will include the installation of the waterline and electrical ductbanks, curing and stripping the deck, and forming and reinforcing the sidewalk and approach slabs. Starting Tuesday, September 29<span style=”font-size: small;”>th</span>, work on Kendrick Street will also include installing the wall H precast barrier.<br />

At ramp K1, work will focus on forming and pouring level up along wall B. At ramp K2, drainage will be installed. At Highland Avenue, work will include the installation of drainage and utilities at the East Abutment as well as the delivery and installation of structural steel. 

At Central Avenue, operations on Monday, September 28 will focus on installing a work zone barrier as well as excavating and lagging the center arch. Throughout the week at Central Avenue, the center walls will be formed and reinforced. 

At Route 9, the upper shoulders of W2 and W1 will be widened. Along the mainline, work on Monday, September 28th and Tuesday September 29th will include reconstructing the median south of Kendrick Street. Throughout the week, work will focus on the installation of temporary drainage for the crossover. On Wednesday, September 30th, a test strip south of Kendrick Street will be paved along the mainline.

For more information about the project, visit the MassDot website.

Wicked Local Needham, September 14, 2015. Emma R. Murphy 

NEEDHAM 

The grey skies held out long enough on Sept. 10 for the outdoor dedication of the Own Your Peace Sculpture newly installed at Needham High School. The dedication marked the culmination of months of work and collaboration within the Needham community.

 Dr. Beth Pinals, President of the Own Your Peace Board of Directors, Rep. Denise Garlick and artist Ted Clausen were among the array of speakers who discussed the sculpture’s importance.

 “It is a strong and palpable symbol of a community that is strong and passionate and caring,” said Garlick.

 Standing 7 feet tall at its highest point, the reflective steel sculpture is intended to inspire community support and mental wellbeing.

 While the sleek reflective panels are eye-catching, the focus of the piece is the words that swirl and swoop across them.

 Words are a hallmark of Clausen’s work, and the quotes on the sculpture come directly from past and current Needham community members.

 The 65 quotes are the result of collaboration between Clausen and Needham students who gathered the quotes through interviews with community members, and explorations into Needham’s archives.

 The purpose of the quotes is to provide tools for dealing with challenge and finding emotional wellbeing.

 Clausen intended for the sculpture to be interactive. He had the words bend and wind so that spectators would be forced to walk inside and around the sculpture.

 “I wanted to slow you down,” said Clausen.

 As viewers walk through the sculpture and read the quotes, they will see their own reflection.

 The team behind the Own Your Peace initiative hopes that the reflective nature of the quotes will cause viewers to consider their own mental wellbeing.

 Own Your Peace evolved from a club run by high school students, to a school-wide speak out event where students share stories of struggle, success and support.

 The sculpture marks the group’s efforts to extend this program to the community.

“It’s something that Needham should be proud of,” said Superintendent Dan Gutekanst. “This sculpture says that we don’t do this alone.”

 Tom Denton, director of Guidance at the high school credited Pinals as the force behind the project.

 “Without her commitment and drive we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

 The community bond was evident in the group that gathered despite the damp weather.

 Students, families, town officials, clergy and the like stood clustered together as they listened to the speakers.

 According to Clausen, the sculpture is the first of its kind in its intention to promote emotional health and community wellness.

“I’m honored beyond words,” said Clausen in addressing the crowd. “That you allowed me to walk with you and make this rather remarkable thing happen.”

Although the dedication marked the final step for creating the sculpture, the initiative could be spreading beyond Needham.