The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers overview focuses on preparations for the dredging work which is anticipated to begin in October 2020.
General: The Muddy River Flood Damage Reduction Phase 2 Construction Project is located in the footprint generally between Leverett Pond to Boylston Street in Boston and Brookline. The major project components involve dredging 1 to 8’ of sediment for flow conveyance in the Back Bay Fens and Riverway sections of the Muddy River. It also includes excavation of the sandbar and island at Leverett Pond. Work also includes the removal of phragmites from the wetland and riparian areas which affect flow conveyance. After removal of river sediments and phragmites, preservation and restoration of the historic park shoreline in construction areas will consist of planting emergent wetland plants and restoring riparian vegetation in upland areas by planting trees and shrubs. This Notice is intended to identify the general construction activities that will be performed in the next 90 days. A figure that shows a typical flood control channel and the proposed improvements is at the end of this report.
August 2020 through October 2020 Period:
- Since the award of the construction contract and issuance of the Notice to Proceed in late March 2020, the contractor continues to work through the technical submittals review and approval process in order to start dredging. Condition survey of the existing river channel will continue into early August.
- The sediment sampling and testing program that began in late May was completed the end of June. Evaluation of sediment test results began in late July to determine if additional sampling and characterization will need to be done as well as determination of the final disposal location.
- The contractor completed installing temporary project fencing along the right side (looking downstream) of the river between Work Areas #7-#11 – from Avenue Louis Pasteur to Agassiz Road – to separate construction activities from public access. With this completion, they have begun installing root and trunk protection to protect existing trees from soil compaction and trunk damage along this stretch of the river. Site preparation activities such as construction of site access roads to the river for channel excavation, and preparation of staging and sediment management areas will begin in mid- to late-August once the tree protection is completed. Existing concrete sidewalks will remain open for pedestrian use to maintain continued access through these work areas. Agassiz Road will remain open except for occasional road closures to allow for large facility and equipment deliveries. The left bank of the river between Work Areas #7-#11 will not be fenced in unless required for bank restoration.
- The contractor completed temporary project fence installation at Work Area #1 – Leverett Pond at the end of July. This will allow for site preparation activities such as construction of site access roads; installation of erosion and sedimentation control features; and set up of sediment handling area to begin in mid-August in preparation of the dredging activities in early Fall. Existing concrete sidewalks will remain open for pedestrian use to maintain continued access throughout this area.
- Selective removal of existing trees greater than 4” caliper identified to be removed in Work Areas #7-#11 was completed in early July. The second mobilization for the identified trees to be removed in Work Areas #1-#3 will take place mid-August. Trees identified for removal in other work areas will take place as the contractor mobilizes in each work area in preparation of channel excavation.
- Dredging of Work Areas #1 and #7 is expected to begin in October 2020.
- For reference, we have included site plans which show the temporary fence installed to separate the construction work areas from pedestrian traffic for Work Areas #7-#11 and Work Area #1.
- At the end of this notice we have included some pictures that show the construction progress between Work Areas #7-#10 and at Work Area #11. We thought folks would be interested in seeing the work occurring behind the fence.
If you any questions, require additional information or would like to be added to the Project Contact List, please email the project mailbox at MuddyRiver@usace.army.mil