The following information was provided by the Mass. Department of Transportation:
Following the weekend closure of the Alewife Station parking garage, work crews were able to address areas of concrete deterioration, which will allow all levels of the garage to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13. Out of an abundance of caution, the MBTA proactively closed the garage on Friday, Aug. 10, to allow crews to expedite concrete repairs and to conduct a comprehensive engineering assessment.
During the weekend closure, crews were able to address additional areas of deteriorated concrete, inspect and cover expansion joints where appropriate, and secure the paths of travel for pedestrian and vehicular access to the garage. Following completion of the work, an engineering and safety assessment of the garage’s condition determined that the garage is safe for use. Both MBTA personnel and an independent engineering consultant conducted the assessment.
In addition to this weekend’s work, the MBTA will be implementing further measures to enhance monitoring of the garage’s condition, and to ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
Starting Monday, Aug. 13, there will be no overnight parking at Alewife garage to allow for engineer to conduct nightly inspections to monitor ongoing repairs. The MBTA is urging customers to remove their vehicles before the end of regularly scheduled MBTA service each weeknight. The garage will reopen each morning at 5 a.m.
As an additional safety precaution, following a week of enhanced monitoring and inspections, the MBTA is planning to close the garage next weekend, starting the end of service on Friday, Aug. 17. This closure will allow for a thorough follow-up assessment.
The MBTA is in the process of developing a long-term plan for the garage, and in early July, solicited bids for an Alewife Garage Structural Repairs contract. Under a $5.7 million contract awarded last week, work will begin in September, and will include repairing beams, patching concrete decks, re-caulking deck joints, and cleaning and flushing the existing drainage system.
Addressing the state of good repair backlog is a priority for the MBTA and the T will spend $8 billion over the next five years upgrading the system’s infrastructure, an increase of $5 billion over the previous five years.
The MBTA apologizes for the temporary displacement of parking spaces and appreciates customers’ patience while the work took place.
The MBTA will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available at www.mbta.com/alewife and @MBTA. The MBTA also encourages customers to sign up for T-Alerts.