Route 128/ABC

Route 128 FACTS & FIGURES

The 128/ABC efforts include attempts to compress the construction schedule and "bundle" the Route 128 Transportation Improvement Project with the Interchange of I-95/I-93/University Avenue Project for the planned total cost estimated near $200 Million. These efforts will require Special Legislation for a Design-Build-Finance alternative approach.

Project Limits

The project will widen Route 128 from Randolph to Wellesley from 3 lanes to 4 lanes in each direction within the median area.
14.3 miles from Route 24 in Randolph to Route 9 in Wellesley .
Extends through 7 communities within Norfolk County (from north to south): Wellesley, Needham, Dedham, Westwood, Canton, Milton and Randolph.
12 interchanges - 8 of which are considered "roadways of regional significance".
22 bridges will be rebuilt or improved to accommodate the new lane and/or height requirements.
This part of the Route 128 Interstate Highway System (I-95 and I-93) is the only segment with 3 lanes, all other segments are 4 lanes.
Includes redesign of Needham's Highland Avenue Interchange.

Design-Build-Finance (D-B-F) vs. Traditional Approach

The current legislation is inefficient in terms of addressing the cost, management and scheduling of such large projects, and only allows MassHighway to build through the traditional "design - bid - build" process. Estimated construction schedule for Route 128 is 12 to 15 years (beginning Spring 2003); total estimated construction schedule for the Route 128 and I-95/I-93 Interchange project is 20 years.
This traditional process is typically subject to project overruns with costly change orders and significant delays.
The intent of the "special legislation" is to put the risk onto the Design-Build-Finance team. The team must bid the project as a "final product" using valued engineering skills without compromising any highway standards. Estimated construction schedule - 3 to 5 years, add I-95/I-93 Interchange - 5 to 7 years.
Cost: Traditional vs. D-B-F - for each approach, the costs are nearly the same; costs will not escalate in D-B-F approach- total estimate is $200MM: · $150MM for Route 128 Add-a-Lane · $50MM for I-95/I-93 Interchange

Expected Benefits/Improvements from Project

The restoration of proper safety features by allowing the breakdown lane to be returned to its intended use.
The reduction in the duration of congestion. The improved roadway would carry more traffic, with less congestion.
The diversion of through traffic from local streets paralleling Route 128 back onto the highway where it belongs.

Safety

In September 1986, the Federal Highway Administration permitted use of the breakdown lane as a 4th travel lane in each direction during the AM/PM peak (rush) hours - which also corresponds with school start and finish.
The use of the breakdown lane now (1999) represents 20% of all traffic in each direction during the peak hours.
Permission to use the breakdown lane as a general-purpose lane was extended by the Federal Highway Administration only as an "interim measure."
The completed Route 128 will be a "high-grade urban interstate facility, the class of roadways which typically experiences the lowest accident rates among all roadway classes."
The highest frequency accident location is just south of Needham's Highland Avenue Interchange.
The most frequent type of accident observed in the I-95/I-93 (Route 128) Corridor is rear-end collisions.

The 128/ABC - "Route 128 Add-a-Lane Business Coalition"

The Route 128 Add-a-Lane Business Coalition (128/ABC) is designed to help get Route 128 and the Interstate 95/Route 128 Interchange done on time, within budget, and with as little disruption as possible to both business and our shared environment.
The 128/ABC motto is "Business, advocates and government cooperating for smart development."
Attendees of the 128/ABC public meetings are General Members of 128/ABC and receive specific benefits (special mailings, guaranteed seating, etc.), as set by the Steering Committee.
The 128/ABC Steering Committee members show the diversity and collaborative efforts of the Committee.

128/ABC Steering Committee - Membership categorized by project interest

Economic Development

Needham-Newton Chamber of Commerce
Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce
Randolph Chamber of Commerce
Town of Walpole EDC
Town of Westwood
Wellesley Chamber of Commerce

Environmental

CJH Environmental, Inc. (LSPs)
Law Offices of Matthew Watsky
Neponset River Watershed Association
OVO Technologies, Inc. (LSPs)

Transportation

Allen & Major Associates, Inc.
Construction Industries of Massachusetts
Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association

Communities

Canton, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Norwood, Walpole, Westwood
Norfolk County
Three Rivers Interlocal Council - subregion of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Financial & Legal

The Bank of Canton
Dedham Institute for Savings
Gray, Gray & Gray, (CPAs)
Sovereign Bank
Tarlow, Breed, Hart, Murphy Rodgers, PC
Truelove, Dee & Chase, LLP

Legislators

Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton)
Senator Jo Ann Sprague (R - Walpole)
Representative John Rogers (D - Norwood)
Representative Louis Kafka (D - Sharon)

Employers
3M Company - Association Industries of Massachusetts - Babel Paint & Decorating - Donahue Associates - General Dynamics - NStar Electric & Gas - Podgurski Construction - Reebok International Headquarters

Congestion Issues

Average weekday use in 1999 was counted as 140,000 vehicles per day.
In 2002, estimates were a confirmed at 200,000 vehicles per day.
These volumes are surpassed only by the "Central Artery and the Southeast Expressway."
Arterial and local roads are burdened by commuters avoiding Route 128 altogether.
In the absence of improvement, there will be no way to force additional traffic through Route 128, and the overflow demand will be felt on local streets instead of the highway.
Congestion is at a Level of Service condition E or F.

Environment

The Neponset River crossing under Route 128 (in Canton) is within a designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern. MassHighway has agreed to construct a wildlife and pedestrian "underpass" alongside the river.
This project affords an opportunity to completely upgrade the stormwater management systems to current-day standards. The D-B-F approach guarantees these positive environmental elements are in place sooner than would be possible under the traditional approach. By "bundling in" the I-95/I-93 (Route 128) Interchange reconstruction project, the D-B-F approach accelerates the safety and wetland restoration benefits by at least 10 years.
By "bundling in" the I-95/I-93 (Route 128) Interchange reconstruction project, the D-B-F approach accelerates the safety and wetland restoration benefits by at least 10 years.
Because of congestion, the Route 128 Corridor has the worst air quality conditions in the State. Fact: Idling cars emit 20 times more air pollution than cars traveling 30 mph.
The Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association is a significantly underutilized solution - they reduce the number of cars on the road by helping employees travel in the Corridor via the Railink Shuttle.

Economic Development Opportunities

The long-term impact of the roadway improvements . . . will have an overall positive effect on the local economy and will encourage continued economic growth in the region - offering increased opportunities to prospective businesses, better chances to retain businesses in the region, and retain current population.
Since many Corridor communities are within a designated Economic Target Area, the timely completion of the project provides yet another tool to enhance the economic viability of an area that is already eligible for financial incentives.
MassHighway Commissioner reports that "every $1 spent on transportation improvements translates to $6 of economic development."