Daily News

Construction on West Columbus Avenue Begins Today

SPRINGFIELD — A portion of West Columbus Avenue, between Hampden Street and Boland Way, near the Memorial Bridge in Springfield, will be under construction beginning today, the Mass. Department of Transportation announced. The road will close to traffic beginning the week of August 3. This closure is necessary to allow the roadway to be widened and serve traffic more safely once the viaduct rehabilitation is fully in progress.

To access West Columbus Avenue near the Memorial Bridge when the road is closed, motorists are advised to take the following detour:

• From Hampden Street, turn left on East Columbus Avenue. Turn right onto Boland Way. Turn left onto West Columbus Avenue. All entrances to the North Parking Garage will remain open during this period.

MassDOT also issued a reminder concerninbg lane closures during the viaduct-reconstruction work. The first phase of this initiative includes utility work, intersection improvements, and bridge deck repairs with nightly lane restrictions.

On Sunday through Thursday nights through fall 2015, one or two lanes on I-91 north and/or southbound will be closed during overnight hours to allow the contractor to mill out the existing pavement and repair the concrete deck. If necessary, Friday and Saturday night closures are also possible. The following lane closures on the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield are planned through fall 2015:

I-91 Northbound (ongoing)

• Sunday night: Single lane closures, 6-9 p.m., double lane closures, 9 p.m.-5 a.m.;
• Monday through Thursday nights: Single lane closures, 7-10 p.m., double lane closures, 10 p.m.-5 a.m.;
• Friday nights (if necessary): Single lane closures, 10 p.m.-12 a.m., double lane closures, 12 a.m.-7 a.m.;
• Saturday nights (if necessary): single lane closures, 4-10 p.m., double lane closures, 10 p.m.-9 a.m.

I-91 Southbound (ongoing)

• Sunday night: single lane closures, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., double lane closures, 12 a.m.-5 a.m.;
• Monday through Thursday nights: single lane closures, 7-10 p.m., double lane closures 10 p.m.-5 a.m.;
• Friday nights (if necessary): single lane closures, 8-10 p.m., double lane closures, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.;
• Saturday nights (if necessary): single lane closures, 6 p.m.-12 a.m., double lane closures, 12-9 a.m.

All lanes will reopen by 5 the next morning (7 on Saturday and 9 on Sunday, if weekend work is needed). After all repairs are completed, the roads will be repaved and restriped.