Tobin Bridge traffic flow restored after emergency repair

January 9, 2009 02:28 PM Email| Comments (11)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

The Tobin Bridge's lower level heading out of Boston was reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. last night through this morning while workers made an emergency roadway repair.

The construction work caused traffic backups, but the bridge reopened to two lanes by noon, said Lisa Langone, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the bridge.

Langone said workers were repairing and plating over an expansion joint that could have caused tire damage to cars if not immediately fixed. The problem was discovered earlier this week by engineers.

The first phase of the work was done Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., causing greater back-ups.

"The bridge is structurally sound," Langone said.

Workers are expected to continue on a long-term re-decking project until the summer of 2010, closing alternating lanes on a regular basis. Massport's other project on the Tobin, repainting the bridge, is suspended for the winter and will begin again in April.

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11 comments so far...

Redecking until the summer of 2010????? This is ridiculous. Maybe it's time to come up with another product to put down. How do Minn. and those states have roads that don't deteriate like those in Taxachusetts? I'll tell you why.....because they don't have the corrupt politicians we have that make sure their cronies and families aren't taken care of the way the corrupt ones do here. VOTE OUT THE BUMS!!!!

Posted by itzmikey January 9, 09 04:20 PM

minnesota? isnt that where that huge bridge collapsed a couple summers ago? great example...

Posted by zkl January 9, 09 07:25 PM

Minnesota's bridges also aren't suspended over salt water, but I agree this project is taking far too long. Look at the 8 year project to replace the route 107 drawbridge in Saugus. The thing is maybe 75 feet long? One year and 45 days to build the empire state building, and look at how long projects take these days. How proud we should be! Ugh.

Posted by scorp508 January 9, 09 08:22 PM

no, it's because they use concrete, not asphalt.

Posted by boardachick January 9, 09 09:27 PM

itzmikey, Minnesota doesn't have deteriorating roads? Umm... does the major bridge that collapsed a few years ago ring any bells? Left 13 people dead and 145 injured...

Posted by mtbr1975 January 9, 09 09:29 PM

I agree with itzmikey . . . summer of 2010 is absolutely ridiculous. Nothing like watching a bunch of guys holding up rakes every morning on my way to work. The Port Authority is a &*(&(^(ing joke and they should all be canned.

Posted by eggman January 9, 09 09:40 PM

Umm... Didn't Minnesota have a bridge on a major highway collapse into the Mississippi?

Posted by grill January 9, 09 09:41 PM

you do remember that Minnesota is where the bridge collapsed, right?

Posted by justwondering January 9, 09 09:48 PM

If the past decade of construction on the Tobin Bridge and it's delays to commuters is any indication of what will happen if they take over the Big Dig then we should all be very afraid.

Posted by delayed20minaday January 10, 09 01:00 AM

C'mon guys, you know that contractors always stretch jobs out longer so they get more cash and OT. Its no surprise then that this job will take so long, funny here in Nevada they have been building roads like crazy, no kidding roads to no where actually but they do it overnight and stop in the morning.

Posted by SNAPPA January 10, 09 02:23 AM

This city is already paralyzed everytime there is just one accident or breakdown on any of the arteries. My commute has almost doubled since the lanes on the bridge have been closed - and we're paying more in tolls for it. The conditions of the roads is awful here. If I had a reasonable public transportation option, I would take it as my hours aren't flexible at work - inbound is much better but anywhere between 3:30 and 7PM it's gridlock. Can't someone solve this problem please????

Posted by tobinslave January 13, 09 05:02 PM