Seabrook-Hampton Project Update

Seabrook-Hampton Project Update: Crews have finished the northern bulkhead to enable access for bridge construction in Hampton. We have shifted operations to the southern workzone in Seabrook and set up the job site and mobilized in our HC 150 Crawler Crane. Our focus is installing the southern abutment cofferdam sheet pile wall and the southern bulkhead to allow access for bridge construction in Seabrook.

Recovery Month 2024

It’s OK to ask for help. September is Recovery Month and a good time to make sure you have the support you need to recover. Explore your support options at samhsa.gov/find-support/health-care-or-support.

Feeling connected to others can help anyone on their path to recovery. This Recovery Month, check out inspiring stories of hope and recovery: 988lifeline.org/stories/

Relationships and social networks lead to friendship, love, hope, and support. Recovery can be a more manageable journey with the support of others. samhsa.gov/find-support

September 2024 Safety Focus: Hand & Power Tools

his month’s SPS Safety Focus is all about Hand and Power Tools. Employees who use hand and power tools have the potential to be exposed to various hazards including falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases.

Five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools…

Hazards of hand and power tool use can include the following, and more. Using engineering and administrative controls, as well as appropriate personal protective equipment we can take steps towards eliminating or controlling tool-related hazards.

August 2024 MBTA Green Line Railroad-SPS JV Track and Site Improvements

During the MBTA‘s recent 10-day Green Line shutdown from August 2nd – August 11th, the Railroad-SPS JV completed various track and site improvements in Boston’s Allston neighborhood along Commonwealth Ave. Our work included over 2,200 feet of full depth track replacement, including more than 450 feet of grade crossing replacement at Warren Street and Allston Street. The JV also installed 1,600 feet of new track drainage pipe, replaced 2,000 feet of restraining rail, reset hundreds of granite curbs, installed 4 new duct banks to support MBTA traction power, and installed new asphalt platforms at Warren and Allston stations. This extensive work resulted in 8 speed restrictions being removed from the Green Line B Branch. The work was completed successfully with the help of our subcontractors and continuous support from the City of Boston and various MBTA departments.

SPS-Bond Logan Airport Terminal B-C Roadways Project Wins ENR New England’s 2024 Airport/Transit Project Award of Merit

From ENR.com
August 15, 2024

ENR New England is excited to announce this year’s group of regional Best Project winners, with 19 projects awarded in 13 main categories.

In addition to the 2024 main category winners found in the list below, the Best Projects safety and sustainability awardees, which are juried by a separate group of safety and sustainability experts, will be announced next month in the ENR New England free e-newsletter. Finalists for this year’s ENR New England Project of the Year will also be announced soon.

Projects were evaluated on the ability of the project team to overcome challenges, safety, construction/design quality, and contribution to the industry and the community.

Project Category: Airport/Transit

Regional Award Level: Award of Merit

Project Name: Logan International Airport – Terminal B-C Roadways Program

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Submitted By: Stantec

August 2024 Safety Focus: Confined Space

This month’s SPS Safety Focus is all about Confined Space. Workers in confined spaces can be at risk for injury or death from lack of oxygen, buildup of explosive or toxic gases, uncontrolled water, falling materials, and electrical hazards.

Treat all confined spaces as hazardous. Never enter a confined space:

  • Without proper training, which your employer is required to provide.
  • Before the air is tested for oxygen, flammable vapors, and toxic chemicals.
  • Before the structure has been checked to make sure it will not collapse.
  • Without a dependable way of communicating with a person outside of the space.
  • Without appropriate personal protective equipment provided by your employer, such as a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Confined Space Safety Tip: Do not re-enter the same confined space before checking for hazardous conditions.

Reminder – Confined spaces present unique conditions that can become life-threatening!

SPS New England, Select Demo Lead Boston Bridge Project

From ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com
July 25, 2024

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority announced that the Dorchester Avenue Bridge in Boston is under construction.

The bridge, which is located between Von Hillern and Kemp streets, was built in 1925 and rehabilitated in 1975. The steel bridge carries vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists over the Red Line, the Commuter Rail Old Colony Lines and the Cabot Yard maintenance tracks.

Photo courtesy of MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department

It is being replaced to protect its structural integrity and ensure reliable service.

Work began on the project in the summer of 2022. The budget for the project is $47,125,079 and is provided by federal formula funds and some MBTA matching funds, according to Lisa Battison, a spokesperson of the MBTA.

The lead contractor on the project is SPS New England of Salisbury, Mass., and Select Demo Services of Salem, N.H., is the demolition contractor.

“Dorchester Avenue over the MBTA Red Line, Cabot Yard Spur and Old Colony Main Line consists of replacement of the existing three-span highway bridge with a new, two-span precast reinforced concrete deck panel slab and cast in place closure pours, sidewalks and barriers, on weathering steel multi-girder superstructure,” according to SPS New England. “A new pile supported abutment will be constructed behind the existing reinforced concrete rigid frame south abutment of the south span, using drilled and driven pipe piles and a reinforced cast-in-place concrete cap.

“A new pile supported pier will be constructed between the existing granite block south abutment of the north span and the reinforced concrete rigid frame north abutment of the middle span, using drilled and driven pipe piles and a reinforced cast-in-place concrete cap,” SPS added. “The existing granite block north abutment of the north span will be reused, and a new precast reinforced concrete cap will be placed on top to support the new superstructure.”

To relocate the existing utilities from the existing Dorchester Avenue bridge, a prefabricated temporary utility bridge will be erected on a reinforced concrete foundation supported by drilled micropiles. Work also includes the rehabilitation of an existing 300-ft. long bin wall by installing soil nails and a reinforced concrete face.

Read more

Bass River Bridge Project Completed in Yarmouth, MA

SPS recently completed high priority overhead concrete and pile repairs at the Bass River Bridge in Yarmouth. Tight access, tides, growing repairs, and an expedited repair schedule made this project a challenge for everyone involved. The project started in January and was completed a few days prior to the Fourth of July weekend. It took a huge effort from SPS Superintendents, Foreman, Labor, Operations, Marine Division and Project Management . Mark Rousseau (Site Superintendent) was supported by Joe Harvey, Joe Ford, Nick Terenzoni, Ben Terenzoni, Jimmy Zechello, John Desimone, Jason Williams, Jeremiah Connolly, Chris Pickford, and very determined crew. Congratulations to everyone who made this one a success.

July 2024 Safety Focus: Scaffolding

This month’s SPS Safety Focus is all about Scaffolding. Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Additionally, scaffold-related fatalities account for a significant number of fatalities in the construction workplace.

Workers building scaffolds risk serious injury from a variety of hazards.

In order to stay safe erecting, working on, and dismantling a scaffold, employees should take precautions which include the following…

In order to stay safe erecting, working on, and dismantling a scaffold, employees should take precautions which include the following…