Field Word Being Conducted For Greenline Extension

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been performing field work in support of the extension of the MBTA Green Line to Somerville and Medford. Staff members have been undertaking field surveys, noise and vibration testing, and soil borings. The data collected will be used to advance the design of the Green Line Extension Project.

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Boring Program:

Soil borings will be taken to obtain subsurface soil and groundwater information for future Green Line facilities such as bridges, walls, stations, and stormwater management systems. In most instances, borings along the MBTA right-of-way will be required for retaining walls, bridge abutments, or bridge piers. Additional samples will be retrieved from approximately half of the boring locations and tested separately to identify the presence of oil and/or hazardous materials. All borings will be backfilled with clean sand, gravel, or pavement.

Week ending 2/26/10 - Broadway and Medford Street, Somerville
Week ending 3/5/10 - Walnut Street, Somerville
These borings will be taken on the streets near the existing bridges over the MBTA Lowell Commuter Line. Drilling typically occurs between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM on weekdays.

Field Survey:

The survey program will involve performing a topographic survey, in which staff members will locate surface features such as terrain, pavement limits, sidewalks, pipes, hydrants, fences, walls, trees, and other items. Surveyors will stake out proposed boring locations for use by the boring contractor. Survey crews generally include 2 to 3 persons.

Weeks ending 2/26/10 and 3/05/10:

Medford/Somerville intersection in Somerville
Washington/McGrath intersection in Somerville
Broadway Bridge in Somerville/Medford
Harvard Street Bridge in Medford
College Avenue Bridge in Medford
Cedar Street Bridge in Somerville