More Muddy River Loud Testing Slated for Next Week

Even if you haven't noticed the construction happening in the Landmark Center area, you may notice the sound of loud bangs in the Fenway area next week.

But the noises, coming just on the heels of a scary few weeks in Boston, mean no harm. The loud banging noises are part of statnamic testing for the Muddy River project that began this week and will continue through the early part of next week. 

The statnamic load test is a type of test for assessing the load carrying capacity of deep foundations that involves the use of high-pressure gas. The testing is needed to make sure there's support for concrete culverts and wing walls that will be installed under the Riverway, under Brookline Avenue and near Avenue Louis Pasteur.

The existing earthen material in these areas is poor and the project team needs to determine the proper depth for the drilled shafts to properly carry the loads of the culverts and walls, said Mike Keegan, Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers in New England. Testing should be completed by May 10, 2013. 

Keegan said in an e-mail the schedule is set for next week's Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's testing, and will include testing in three different areas at different times:

• Jug-handle area (Landmark Center area) on Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Upper Fens Pond area (near Avenue Louis Pasteur) on Tuesday between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. 
• Riverway area on Wednesday between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

For specific questions about the project, you can contact MuddyRiver@usace.army.mil, or see our previous coverage: 

• Muddy River Construction Plans for April and May
• Muddy River Project: Expand Loud Bangs Starting April 30
• Muddy River Project Begins in Fenway

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