BOSTON, MA The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the I-91 viaduct structure in Springfield, Massachusetts, to the joint venture, JF White-Schiavone.

The bid price submitted by the joint venture was $1.48 million making JF White-Schiavone the lowest responsible bidder for the project. There were three bids in total. The total project cost, which in addition to the bid price includes railroad flaggers, traffic details, protections against cost overruns, and an incentive clause for the contractor to expedite the work, is approximately $1.83 million.

Approval of this contract allows for the replacement and rehabilitation of the concrete deck, repair and replacement of the supporting steel, and major improvements to drainage and lighting. First built in the 1960s, the viaduct has experienced significant deterioration and requires frequent emergency repairs, which exacerbates traffic congestion. While a long-term solution will be determined through a corridor planning study currently under development, this contract guarantees lower maintenance costs and a reduction in need for emergency repairs for the next 30 years.

"The I-91 project will not only address immediate regional transportation needs for the greater Springfield community, but will also ensure reduced maintenance costs and longer serviceability over the next three decades," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack.

Work on the project is anticipated to begin in early summer of this year and last through late February of 2019. Accelerated bridge construction techniques will be used to reduce the number of traffic impacts and minimize disruptions to traffic flow caused by construction.

The contract also provides an incentive of $50,000 for each day the contractor completes the work early, up to 180 days, meaning the contractor would be eligible to receive $9 million as a maximum bonus. Likewise, the contract has a clause that penalizes the contractor $50,000 for each day the work continues past the point where drivers should be expected to have full-beneficial use of the corridor.

For the duration of the work, two travel lanes will be maintained in both directions; the on- and off-ramps within the project limits will be closed for the length of the project. Traffic seeking to access downtown streets will be diverted off I-91 before and after the project limits.

"Today is a major milestone for the Springfield region and I'm looking forward to getting this project under way," said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. "For too long, the viaduct has required frequent - and untimely emergency repairs. Recognizing the impact those repairs have on the regional economy and on mobility through the corridor, the contractor's methods and our contractual incentive shows that we understand the urgency with which this needs to get done."

The total cost for the project is funded with 80 percent Federal Highway funding and 20 percent state funding.