Friday, May 19, 2017

GE Groundbreaking Construction

Updated 5.17.17: Find out more construction details at GE Innovation Point Community Engagement meeting on Monday, May 22, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Factory 63, 63 Melcher St. RSVP

GE held their official ground breaking Monday morning.
GE  Groundbreaking 5/8/17 Fort Point

In advance of the groundbreaking GE's Ecosystem Transition Leader, Peter Cavanaugh, spoke to the Fort Point neighborhood at FPNA's April 25th gathering. View presentation.

Mr. Cavanaugh explained how GE selected Boston and in particular Fort Point to be the perfect setting for the digital and industrial company. 

At the neighborhood's request, the rest of the talk focused on the construction of GE Innovation Point. Below are some construction highlights and updates.  Once construction begins later this spring, updates will be available at GEReports or you may email or call 617-443-3434. Suffolk Construction will construct the new building. Consigli Construction will rehabilitate the two historic NECCO candy factory buildings. 

Project Work Hours:
At the meeting the Project work hours were stated to be from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.  This time range is in accordance with Boston City Ordinances: however, this is in excess of a typical workday.  The majority of work on-site will be performed during the hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.  There will be work that is performed after 3:30 pm due to logistical or safety reasons. GE will try to limit this work to the extent that possible, specifically any work that is loud. Off-hour and weekend work will be utilized in cases when the Project schedule needs to be maintained or phases of the work need to be performed to minimize impacts to the neighborhood.  A schedule of such activities will be provided in advance.

Truck Routes: 
The neighborhood raised questions regarding the routes for construction truck traffic. Trucks are needed to remove debris and material excavated or removed from the site, and to deliver new construction materials as the project proceeds.  Truck traffic related to this construction site shall vary considerably throughout the construction period.  Construction of the General Electric Headquarters is expected to generate an average of 30 trucks per day for the entire construction period. The impact of construction trucks in the evening peak hour is expected to be insignificant because most deliveries are completed prior to the end of the typical construction work day (3:30 PM). Truck activity is expected to be uniformly distributed throughout the work day.  Thus, an anticipated average of 30 trucks per day to the site translates to approximately 4 trucks every 1 hour if distributed over an eight-hour work day. Trucks coming to and from the site are required to use major arterial roadways or highways and not local streets.  View truck routes approved by BTD.  Delivery drivers will be encouraged to use the main roads as much as possible.

Construction Personnel Parking:
The number of workers per day will vary as construction proceeds.  Over the entire Project construction period, the average number of workers per day will be between approximately 250. Please keep in mind that that this is an average over the life of the Project.  As mentioned at the meeting, the location of the construction site makes public transportation very accessible and many workers will use this transit option.  The site is convenient to the MBTA’s Red line stop at South Station, and is close to MBTA Bus Stops serviced by the Route 4, 7, 11, 448, 449, 459, SL1, SL2, and SL waterfront.  Many commuter rail lines also run through South Station.  Suffolk will also provide sufficient and secure storage areas for workers’ equipment to facilitate and encourage the use of the “T”.  Any personal vehicles will be restricted from parking at or around the construction site to reduce the impact to residential parking.  Due to the proximity of public transit systems, employees will be encouraged to use the MBTA as well as carpooling. Subcontractor parking will be limited to an off-site parking location.  GE will encourage the use of public parking lots located away from the project site to ensure a location for on-site workers to park, as well as the local neighborhood.

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