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MassDOT outlines 25% design progress, environmental constraints for permanent Hall Whitaker and Kernwood bridges
Summary
At a Beverly City meeting, MassDOT and VHB described progress on 25% design, a Federal Highway Administration value-engineering review and environmental and right‑of‑way issues for permanent replacement bridges. Officials said permitting windows and marina data will shape vertical-clearance choices that affect boat openings.
MassDOT and the design consultant VHB presented the status of the 25% design for the permanent Hall Whitaker and Kernwood Avenue bridges and described environmental, navigation and right-of-way constraints the team is resolving.
Rob Antico, MassDOT project manager, said VHB submitted 25% highway and sketch plans along with geotechnical, hydraulic and early environmental coordination documents and that the project team is in a comment-resolution process. The department has engaged an independent firm to prepare an independent cost estimate and, as required by the Federal Highway Administration, performed a value-engineering study. Nick Shenna, design manager for VHB, said the VE study and independent cost estimate are being incorporated into a revised 25% submission.
Design parameters under consideration include channel clearances and roadway profile. Shenna said the Kernwood concept seeks to maintain existing horizontal clearance (50 feet) while increasing the mean-high-water underside-of-structure vertical…
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