Update:
A Pre-Construction Information Meeting about this project will take place on Monday, May 13 at 6:30pm at Harbor Health Services – 1135 Morton Street, Mattapan.
Original Post:
A meeting Looks like contractor Fred Derma & Sons was the lowest bidder for an upcoming project to improve route 203 aka Morton Street and the intersection at Gallivan Boulevard and West Selden. Improvements include; bicycle lanes along Morton Street between West Selden Street and Gallivan Boulevard, and new and improved sidewalks. Traffic signals on Morton Street at the intersections with Norfolk Street, Evans Street, West Selden Street, and Gallivan Boulevard will also be optimized to increase efficiency and improve pedestrian travel.
See press release below:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that Fred Deroma & Son, Inc. is the apparent low bidder for its upcoming project to make roadway improvements to Morton Street (Route 203) and the intersections with Gallivan Boulevard and West Selden Street in Boston.
Bids from five contractors for this project were opened on Tuesday, January 8, with the lowest bid from Fred Deroma & Son, Inc. being $3,197,373.27. As per policy, MassDOT will now review the bid before issuing the Notice to Proceed for work. Prior to construction beginning this spring, MassDOT will host a public meeting to inform the public of all aspect of the project and the construction schedule.
“We are pleased to have opened bids and identified the lowest apparent bidder for our upcoming project to improve a section of Morton Street and these two intersections,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We have benefited from a great amount of input from the community and elected and local officials throughout the design process, and we look forward to continuing to engage the public as we move forward with construction operations.”
“Over the years, residents, Representative Cullinane and former Senator Linda Dorcena Forry worked vigorously to secure $3.5 million in state funds for safety improvements to the Morton/Gallivan intersection,” said State Senator Nick Collins. “When I took office, I continued the work of my colleagues by advocating making this intersection safe as a number one priority. I commend MassDOT for listening to our calls and look forward to seeing this project reach completion.”
“It is always encouraging to see the pre-construction process move on to the next phase. With the bids now opened and once the subsequent vetting process is complete, we will soon know which contractor will officially be performing the critical work of making the intersections of Morton Street and Gallivan Boulevard, and Morton Street and West Selden Street, the safe intersections our community deserves,” said State Representative Dan Cullinane. “This public safety project has been a long time coming and I cannot wait to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”
This project will increase access and improve safety and travel for all modes of transportation along Morton Street including public transit users, bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. Improvements at the intersection of Morton Street with Gallivan Boulevard will include realigning the roadway and adding traffic signals and raised medians. A new traffic signal and protected left turn lane will be installed at the intersection of Morton Street and West Selden Street, along with new exclusive left turn lanes on Morton Street.
Bicycle lanes will be added along Morton Street between West Selden Street and Gallivan Boulevard, and sidewalks will be reconstructed. Traffic signals located at the Morton Street intersections with Norfolk Street, Evans Street, West Selden Street, and Gallivan Boulevard will also be optimized as part of this project to increase efficiency and improve pedestrian travel.
Construction is currently expected to be carried out in four phases: roadway widening, proposed island construction, sidewalk construction, and final paving. Access to this area is expected to be maintained throughout construction operations, and as always, work will be conducted in ways that minimize the impact on the local community and traveling public.
MassDOT appreciates the cooperation and patience of the traveling public as transportation infrastructure is improved. Members of the public are encouraged to utilize the appropriate technology tools including mass511.com, MassDOT’s GoTime travel app, and other wayfinding resources to find the most appropriate route, mode, and timing of travel during construction.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
