More MassDOT sign replacement projects

[roadman]

Sorry I'm late in posting this information (work and the holidays have kept me very busy of late).  Just wanted to note to all that, in mid-December, MassDOT opened bids on two additional guide sign replacement projects.

The first project is on Interstate 95 between Route 114 in Peabody and Route 97 in Georgetown, and will also include replacing the signs and complete span support at the "slip-ramp" to US 1 south.  So, the infamous "top-hat" I-95 pull-thru sign at this location will eventually go away, to be replaced with a standard rectangular panel.  Most of the current sign panels along this section date from the early 1990s, but most of the sign supports were installed in the 1970s.

The second project is on Interstate 195 between the Rhode Island/Massachusetts border and Reed Road in Dartmouth, and will also include the section of MA Route 24 between the Rhode Island/Massachusetts border and I-195.  The current sign panels along I-195 date from the mid-1990s (although many have severely deterioriated for their age), and the sign supports date from the late 1960s.  Both the current sign panels and supports along the section of MA 24 included in this contract date from the early 1970s.

As with other recent MassDOT sign projects, the work under these contracts will include replacing both the panels and the supports.

My sources tell me that the apparent low bidder for both of these projects is Liddell Brothers of Halifax, MA.  This is the same contractor who is just completing the I-93 Somerville to Wilmington and I-93 Wilmington to Methuen contracts, and continues to work on the I-93 Randolph to Boston contract as well.

[bob7374]

My sources tell me that the apparent low bidder for both of these projects is Liddell Brothers of Halifax, MA.  This is the same contractor who is just completing the I-93 Somerville to Wilmington and I-93 Wilmington to Methuen contracts, and continues to work on the I-93 Randolph to Boston contract as well.

I saw the contractor info about the new I-95 project as well, thanks for the other information. Is there any concern at MassDOT about awarding too many sign contracts to Liddell Brothers? From following the I-93 projects they were awarded, and the previous one for MA 3, it seems they have a problem with meeting the target deadlines. Both I-93 contracts north of Boston were supposed to be complete this past summer, then the deadline was pushed to the fall. It's now January and, though each is around 90% done, neither is finished. I've already posted about the slow progress on the I-93 contract from Randolph to Boston. That project has been stuck at 7% complete for a couple months and I have seen little progress traveling through the project area. Could it be they just do not have the resources to cover many contracts at once? Could delays in signing affect MasDOT's plan to convert the exit number system to a mile-based one in the years ahead?

[MVHighways]

Yesterday on my way home from Salem NH going southbound on I-93 I had noticed that MassDOT had JUST replaced their Mass. Welcomes You sign with a slightly updated design.

[NE2]

Yesterday on my way home from Salem NH going southbound on I-93 I had noticed that MassDOT had JUST replaced their Mass. Welcomes You sign with a slightly updated design.

As long as it still has a turkey, it's all good.

[PHLBOS]

In the old days (1970s), the Massachusetts Gun Law signs dwarfed any welcome signs at the border.

The first project is on Interstate 95 between Route 114 in Peabody and Route 97 in Georgetown, and will also include replacing the signs and complete span support at the "slip-ramp" to US 1 south.  So, the infamous "top-hat" I-95 pull-thru sign at this location will eventually go away, to be replaced with a standard rectangular panel.  Most of the current sign panels along this section date from the early 1990s, but most of the sign supports were installed in the 1970s.

Weren't some of those BGS' along I-95 in Danvers/Peabody (mainly the southbound) recently replaced?  Some of the Exit 46 approach BGS when I was last there a few weeks ago looked fairly new. 

It's worth noting that the 1-mile advance BGS for MA 114 along northbound 95 was recently replaced as well.  It also still shows no exit numbers & has the control cities in the wrong order.  The original 80s-vintage BGS contained the same error as well (it was originally erected as part of the I-95 extension/completion project).

Original & current BGS in question reads:

114
Middleton
Peabody
EXITS 1 MILE

It should read:

EXITS 47A-B
114
Peabody
Middleton
1 MILE

[J N Winkler]

A question:  is there any prospect of the construction plans for these signing jobs being put online at some point in the future, e.g. at advertising?  A quick look at the MassDOT website suggests they are still sticking with CD distribution, at a time when close to 40 states now put construction plans online.

[roadman]

In the old days (1970s), the Massachusetts Gun Law signs dwarfed any welcome signs at the border.

The first project is on Interstate 95 between Route 114 in Peabody and Route 97 in Georgetown, and will also include replacing the signs and complete span support at the "slip-ramp" to US 1 south.  So, the infamous "top-hat" I-95 pull-thru sign at this location will eventually go away, to be replaced with a standard rectangular panel.  Most of the current sign panels along this section date from the early 1990s, but most of the sign supports were installed in the 1970s.

Weren't some of those BGS' along I-95 in Danvers/Peabody (mainly the southbound) recently replaced?  Some of the Exit 46 approach BGS when I was last there a few weeks ago looked fairly new. 

It's worth noting that the 1-mile advance BGS for MA 114 along northbound 95 was recently replaced as well.  It also still shows no exit numbers & has the control cities in the wrong order.  The original 80s-vintage BGS contained the same error as well (it was originally erected as part of the I-95 extension/completion project).

Original & current BGS in question reads:

114
Middleton
Peabody
EXITS 1 MILE

It should read:

EXITS 47A-B
114
Peabody
Middleton
1 MILE

The southbound advance BGSes for Exit 46, which were updated as part of the 2007 Lynnfield to Danvers sign project for the "Task A" interchange, will be retained under the Peabody to Georgetown contract.

As for the advance BGS for Route 114, it's likely that this sign was recently replaced under the Accident Recovery program due to damage - which would account for the erroneous 'flipping' of the destinations.  Note that the original BGS for 114 at this location never had an exit tab - it was probably never added to the sign for structural reasons.

[PHLBOS]

As for the advance BGS for Route 114, it's likely that this sign was recently replaced under the Accident Recovery program due to damage - which would account for the erroneous 'flipping' of the destinations.  Note that the original BGS for 114 at this location never had an exit tab - it was probably never added to the sign for structural reasons.

The BGS in question is on the same overhead gantry (which spans across both north & southbound lanes) as the 'top-hat' 95 South pull-through BGS.  And, again, the original gantry & BGS' were erected just when this stretch of I-95 finally received exit numbers circa 1987-1988.  The BGS for Exit 46 on the same gantry (the only original BGS still on the gantry) indeed has an exit tab.

If the width of the EXITS 47A-B tab created a structural issue, then MassDPW/Highway/DOT could've used a shortened EXIT 47 tab.  Similar was recently done for a 1-mile advance BGS for Exit 38 (MA 28) along I-95 (MA 128) northbound in Woburn.  No offense, but if structural reasons was indeed the case for not including a top exit panel (remember, the original gantry & BGS were erected at the same time-frame) then why wasn't the ganrty designed properly in the first place?

Whether the BGS replacement was indeed due to the original being damaged (by a passing truck w/something on its roof) or done as part of the 2007 sign replacement project is anybody's guess.  The appearance/condition of the BGS looks similar to the other BGS' that were replaced.

Nonetheless, the above still doesn't explain why Middleton is mentioned before Peabody on the BGS despite the Peabody exit (EXIT 47A for 114 East) coming first.  It's as almost as if the designer was using the old (and now long-gone/replaced) early-70s vintage BGS for the 1-mile notice for MA 114 along southbound US 1 as a guide and didn't modify/adjust accordingly.  At that location, the Middleton/Peabody order arrangement and not exit number listing(s) is appropriate.

[southshore720]

I'm glad to see that I-195 is getting an overhaul from Exits 1-11.  The signage from Exits 1-4 is in very rough shape...a lot of peeling and very difficult to read in the dark.