CONCORD, Mass. – Construction activities continue on Phase 1 of the $30.9 million Muddy River Flood Risk Management and Environmental Restoration project in Boston, Massachusetts. On Saturday, February 13, the Muddy River was flowing in its natural riverine state in the newly constructed flood risk management channel in the former Sears Parking Lot. The stop logs were manipulated at the Flow Restriction Control Structure (FRCS) at the upstream limits of the Phase I Construction to divert the river through the new Riverway culvert. The river then continued through the newly constructed flood risk management channel, into the new Brookline Avenue culvert, and finally into the Upper Fens Pond once the temporary steel sheeting cofferdam was lowered at the upstream end of Upper Fens Pond.
This marks another huge milestone for the project as the river has been running in twin 72” culverts since the 40’s between the Riverway Intake Structure and Upper Fens Pond. Over the past several months, the contractor for the Muddy River Phase 1 construction project has been busily excavating part of the former Sears Parking Lot; constructing the southern portion of the new flood risk management channel; and shaping and constructing the bank on the southside. Most recently, once the Jug Handle Roadway was permanently removed from service in early December, it allowed that area to be “daylighted” as well in order to allow the river to flow continuously from Riverway to Upper Fens Pond in its natural state.
Now that river is passing through the new culverts, it will allow for the removal of the existing Riverway Intake Structure and the existing twin 72” culverts; and the excavation of the rest of the former Sears Parking Lot and the Jug Handle Roadway in order to construct the northern portion of the flood risk management channel. In addition, the northern portion of new sewer line will be installed and connected.
Click on the following link are some photos documenting the progress of the construction that culminated in the river flowing freely through the former Sears Parking Lot. http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Topics/MuddyRiver/Muddy-River-photos-021716.pdf
For Muddy River project construction updates visit the website at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/ProjectsTopics/MuddyRiver.aspx.
If you have questions contact Project Manager Jennifer Flanagan at MuddyRiver@usace.army.mil or call 978-318-8015.
Release no. 2016-012