Thanks in part to the mild snow-free winter so far, the reconstruction of Interstate 91 through downtown Springfield is ahead of schedule.
MassDOT CEO Stephanie Pollack said the contractor on the $185 million project appears to be on track to earn a $9 million bonus by completing the work by the end of 2017.
"Between the mild winter and those rewards the contractor has every incentive to bring the project in ahead of schedule and it is my understanding that may well happen," Pollack told reporters in Springfield Wednesday.
Travel lane shutdowns and ramp closures began late last year for the duration of the work to replace the concrete deck on the 2.5 mile elevated section of the interstate highway.
Traffic backups have occurred from time to time as a result of cars and trucks being detoured onto city streets.
The scheduled opening of the MGM Springfield casino was postponed until Sept. 2018 because of the highway work.
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