By Sam Drysdale, State House News Service
Construction is expected to start this spring and continue into 2028 on repairing a heavily traveled section of Interstate 93 in Dorchester, after state officials approved the $21 million project Wednesday.
The MassDOT Board of Directors’ Capital Programs Committee unanimously approved the project to preserve and reconstruct the I-93 bridge structure and ramps near the JFK/UMass T stop in Boston.
The project will include repair and replacement of bridge joints, replacement of the wearing surfaces, concrete deck patching, bridge barrier and railing repairs, and all traffic control required to complete the project.
The work will be done between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., and the project is expected to conclude in the fall of 2028.
It will be paid for with federal funds through the Highway Infrastructure Program. MassDOT’s estimate for the project was $17.3 million, and they received five bids in December, the lowest of which was $16.6 million. With construction engineering, traffic, police and contingencies, it adds up to an overall budget of $21.6 million.
The construction will involve work over the MBTA tracks, and the department is working with the T on getting a permit and understanding restrictions, said MassDOT Deputy Chief Engineer of Project Development John Bechard.
“This project was initiated to repair the deteriorated section of bridge deck and joints and eliminate water leak onto portions of the steel structure below,” Bechard said, later adding, “The project does support our destination connectivity, as the ramps included in the project lead to access to the John F Kennedy Library, UMass MBTA Red Line stops and other destinations.”
