MBTA CONDUCTS CONFERENCE AND GARAGE TOUR FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS — August 24, 2018
Notes from Will Brownsberger
Today, the MBTA General Manager and his team conducted a legislative briefing on site at the Alewife garage. Key points from the briefing were as follows:
- A major repair contract (that was in the pipeline before the recent alarms) was given notice to proceed today. Work will start shortly.
- Repairs will continue for approximately 20 months.
- They expect to have up to 200 spaces off line at any given time in varying spots as repair crews move around. Currently about 120 spaces are off line, so the net loss below current actual capacity will be about 80 spaces out of the rated 2700 space capacity of the garage.
- They are considering replacement parking, but they perceive that they are unlikely to find replacement parking which will be convenient enough for people to want to use it. I believe that this correct: Demand for parking at Alewife already so vastly exceeds available parking that if there were a good expansion option someone probably would have found it. I have not heard any good options, but would love to hear them. Discussions about expanding the garage itself stalled years ago because the capacity of the on and off ramps cannot be meaningfully increased without running into environmental conflicts.
- They are actively working on improving the bike storage options at Alewife as they currently out of capacity.
- The current repairs will be good for about 5 years. Additional repairs will be needed then. Within a 10 year time frame the garage may need more more major work. Discussions will began over the next couple of years about a longer term strategy for the garage.
These statements are more or less consistent with what was previously reported to Representative Rogers although the accounting for lost parking spaces is slightly different.
Materials explaining the variety of repairs planned were provided.
MBTA PRESS RELEASE — ALEWIFE GARAGE UPDATE — August 24
Last of the nightly closures scheduled for 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25
No further weekend closures expected
BOSTON – Today, the MBTA announced that the Alewife Garage will resume normal operating hours beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday, August 25.
Following an incident involving loose concrete that damaged a T customer’s vehicle, out of an abundance of caution the MBTA proactively initiated a process of nightly garage closures to assess the garage’s condition and to conduct repairs where necessary. As part of that process, the garage was closed for two consecutive weekends (Aug.11-12/Aug. 18-19) for further assessment and additional repairs. During this time, an assessment conducted by MBTA personnel and an independent engineering consultant determined that the garage was safe for use.
Upon reopening for use on Monday, August 20, the T continued nightly closures throughout this week to allow engineering teams to conduct follow-up assessments of the garage’s condition and to prioritize the work associated with the upcoming garage repair project.
In early July, the MBTA solicited bids for an Alewife Garage Structural Repairs contract, which is scheduled to get underway in September. On August 9, the MBTA awarded a $5.7 million contract for the garage, which will include repairing beams, patching concrete decks, re-caulking deck joints, and cleaning and flushing the existing drainage system. While that work takes place, the T is in the process of developing a long-term plan for the garage.
With the safety of its customers, employees, and vendors the top priority, the MBTA is addressing the state of good repair backlog with the expectation the T will spend $8 billion over the next five years upgrading the system’s infrastructure, an increase of $5 billion over the previous five years.
The MBTA apologizes for the temporary displacement of parking spaces and appreciates customers’ patience while the work took place.
The MBTA will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available at www.mbta.com/alewife and @MBTA. The MBTA also encourages customers to sign up for T-Alerts.
MBTA ANSWERS QUESTIONS POSED BY REPRESENTATIVE DAVID ROGERS
From Representative Rogers, passing on responses from the MBTA, August 15, 4PM
Will – I have just heard back from the MBTA with some answers to written questions I posed. Perhaps you already know some of what they told me, but in the interest of keeping you informed of everything that I am learning, I offer the following.
The first thing I asked about was the current planned timeline, particularly regarding the total duration of the project. Aside from any urgent short-term repairs, the construction on the larger project is scheduled to start in September which I already knew. But again the expected duration is what I wanted to know. I now have been advised that the project will take approximately 21 months.
Next, I asked about the functioning of the garage during construction. The MBTA expects the garage will remain open during the reconstruction, but with some parking spaces unavailable. I pressed them for more detail and was advised that the contract with the company undertaking the repairs specifies that at no time will more than 120 parking spots be offline. That is about 5% of parking capacity according to their numbers. I expressed to them that 5% is actually fairly substantial. And frankly, we’ll see if they can really hold the line on that number.
Next I inquired about the MBTA’s commitment to help find replacement parking. At this time they told me that will not make a specific commitment to find replacement parking. But on further questioning, I learned that they have sent a team out in an attempt to identify areas that could serve as replacement parking during construction. I believe they are talking to the owners of the nearby privately owned parking lots to explore possible options.
I also asked that they not raise the parking fee, particularly while the construction lasts. I was told that the T’s General Manager is now considering amending the initial fare increase plan.
ALEWIFE STATION PARKING GARAGE TO REOPEN ON MONDAY
From the MBTA, August 12, 7:49PM
Enhanced monitoring will result in no overnight parking on weekdays
Garage to shutdown weekend of Aug. 18-19 for follow-up assessment
Following the weekend closure of the Alewife Station parking garage, work crews were able to address areas of concrete deterioration, which will allow all levels of the garage to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13.
Out of an abundance of caution, the MBTA proactively closed the garage on Friday, Aug. 10, to allow crews to expedite concrete repairs and to conduct a comprehensive engineering assessment.
During the weekend closure, crews were able to address additional areas of deteriorated concrete, inspect and cover expansion joints where appropriate, and secure the paths of travel for pedestrian and vehicular access to the garage. Following completion of the work, an engineering and safety assessment of the garage’s condition determined that the garage is safe for use. Both MBTA personnel and an independent engineering consultant conducted the assessment.
In addition to this weekend’s work, the MBTA will be implementing further measures to enhance monitoring of the garage’s condition, and to ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
Starting Monday, Aug. 13, there will be no overnight parking at Alewife garage to allow for engineer to conduct nightly inspections to monitor ongoing repairs. The MBTA is urging customers to remove their vehicles before the end of regularly scheduled MBTA service each weeknight. The garage will reopen each morning at 5 a.m.
As an additional safety precaution, following a week of enhanced monitoring and inspections, the MBTA is planning to close the garage next weekend, starting the end of service on Friday, Aug. 17. This closure will allow for a thorough follow-up assessment.
The MBTA is in the process of developing a long-term plan for the garage, and in early July, solicited bids for an Alewife Garage Structural Repairs contract. Under a $5.7 million contract awarded last week, work will begin in September, and will include repairing beams, patching concrete decks, re-caulking deck joints, and cleaning and flushing the existing drainage system.
Addressing the state of good repair backlog is a priority for the MBTA and the T will spend $8 billion over the next five years upgrading the system’s infrastructure, an increase of $5 billion over the previous five years.
The MBTA apologizes for the temporary displacement of parking spaces and appreciates customers’ patience while the work took place.
The MBTA will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available at www.mbta.com/alewife and @MBTA.
MBTA ANNOUNCES WEEKEND CLOSURE OF ALEWIFE GARAGE
From the MBTA, August 10, 2:05PM
The safety of its customers and employees is the MBTA’s highest priority. Today, the MBTA is announcing that out of an abundance of caution, the Alewife garage will be closed through the weekend to allow for continued repairs and a comprehensive engineering assessment.
Through ongoing assessments and repair work, additional areas of deteriorated concrete that need to be addressed have been discovered. As such, the garage will be closed over the weekend to address these areas and to expedite the repair plan.
Today, engineering teams are focused on ensuring a safe path of travel for vehicles exiting the garage throughout the day.
The MBTA is in the process of developing a long-term plan for the garage, and in early July, solicited bids for an Alewife Garage Structural Repairs contract. Under a $5.7 million contract awarded yesterday, work will begin in September, and will include repairing beams, patching concrete decks, re-caulking deck joints, and cleaning and flushing the existing drainage system.
Addressing the state of good repair backlog is a priority for the MBTA and the T will spend $8 billion over the next five years upgrading the system’s infrastructure, an increase of $5 billion over the previous five years.
The MBTA apologizes for the temporary displacement of parking spaces and appreciates customers’ patience while the repair work advances.
While Alewife garage is closed this weekend, the MBTA is encouraging customers to consider other parking facilities including: Wellington, Oak Grove, and Riverside.
The MBTA will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available at www.mbta.com/alewife and @MBTA. The MBTA also encourages customers to sign up for T-Alerts.
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MBTA UPDATE ON ALEWIFE GARAGE REPAIRS
From the MBTA, August 9, 8:40PM
From the MBTA — an update.
Engineering assessment and spot repairs to continue Friday and through the weekend, if necessary
Ongoing work will result in continuing temporary net loss of 500 spaces
The safety of its customers is, and always will be, the MBTA’s top priority. Following the recommendations of an engineering assessment of the Alewife garage, the MBTA will continue to assess and make spot repairs to concrete overnight and throughout the day on Friday, and into the weekend, if necessary.
While the location of the spot repairs will shift within the garage, the repair work will continue to require the temporary net reduction of approximately 500 parking spaces.
While work remains ongoing, the MBTA is ensuring a path of travel is maintained for customers to access the remainder of the garage that is open for use.
The MBTA is in the process of developing a long-term plan for the garage, and in early July, solicited bids for an Alewife Garage Structural Repairs contract.
Under a $5.7 million contract awarded today, work will begin in September, and include repairing beams, patching concrete decks, re-caulking deck joints, and cleaning and flushing the existing drainage system. These repairs and improvements will allow the garage to remain open while the MBTA develops a long-term plan for parking at Alewife Station.
The MBTA apologizes for the temporary displacement of parking spaces and appreciates customers’ patience while the repair work advances.
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Globe Story
August 9
B–Saw the deterioration in last month, having not been inside deck for about a year. Very stark and obvious problems. If we want people off the Freshpond Pkwy, decent parking — and enough — is critical to reducing SOVs. Understand the MBTA under immense financial pressure, but this is just one more sign of inadequate funding, planning, and dare I add, leadership? Thanks for keeping us informed.
Didn’t they spend a lot of timer and money over the past 6 years or so doing extensive repairs to all levels?
What is an expected lifespan of a garage built at that time? Is it reasonable that it is in bad shape 30-35 years later? Yes, you could say the same thing about the tunnels of the red line extension…
So where is the comment about the falling concrete? Lead-in by you does not address the damage to car. What if it had happened while a human was walking where it occurred! Responsibility?
the sad irony is that just before the ‘new’ garage opened, our state rep Mary Jane Gibson took us on a tour and proudly announced that two floors could be added on in the future if the transit need arose. Guess that ‘ain’t happenin”!
I’m sorry to say that boilerplate statements like this smell of hypocrisy. “The safety of its customers is, and always will be, the MBTA’s top priority.”
If this statement were actually true, the MBTA would never have allowed the garage to deteriorate to the condition it now is in.
Repairs are urgently needed, but I am encouraged to see that there is at least a reference to developing a “long-term plan” for the parking situation.
The size of this garage has been insufficient since it was opened — and when additional land in that area was far less expensive than it is now. This forces many cars onto urban streets when they could be parked at Alewife.
Increasing the capacity of this facility really should be a high priority. This would probably be a fairly low-cost way of increasing ridership and reducing automobile traffic in Cambridge and Boston.
Will,
I would be very concerned about an expansion of alewife because o traffic. The elevators go to more floors.
Email from the T just now:
Alewife Garage will be closed at least through this weekend, August 11-12, for ongoing repairs. We’ll provide an update on Sunday for Monday’s commute.
An engineering assessment during the August 9 concrete repairs revealed additional work that needs to be done. Out of an abundance of caution, the entire garage will close for the weekend to ensure the safety of our customers and enable repairs to be completed as quickly as possible.
Will, I have to agree with other comments here that something has obviously gone wrong with facilities maintenance at Alewife. The way things should work is that an appropriate inspection, regularly carried out, reveals a problem before a failure occurs.
The MBTA seems to be indulging in a bit of “nothing to see here” news management. This is particularly disappointing given the MBTA’s history and reputation of being reactive rather than proactive. This event makes it appear as if nothing has really changed.
Will, Just a note of appreciation for doing such a good job in keeping us informed on this issue (and thanks to rep. Dave Rogers, as well). I, too, ironically recall that the garage was engineered to allow for two additional floors.