Demolition at the First Road garage on the UMass Medical School campus in Worcester enters a new phase this week. Removal of the four-story section of the garage is nearly complete. Work now progresses to a portion of the six-story section of the garage, closer to the active parking areas, the elevator and stair tower. A crane has arrived on site to assist in demolition of this section of the garage.
Those using the covered walkways on either side of the building can expect delays when demolition is occurring in those areas. One garage elevator will also be closed when demolition is occurring in that area. Pedestrian detours will be marked with temporary signage. Safety personnel will be on site to help manage the flow of pedestrians and vehicles.
A steel vehicle barrier system has been installed on all floors of the section of the garage that will remain operational. The barrier is permanent and runs along what will become the new east wall of the garage, post demolition.
An estimated 24 truckloads of debris will be hauled off site daily to the contractor’s yard for processing. The concrete will be crushed and reused for roadbed aggregate and other uses. The steel will be separated from the concrete and recycled to make new steel.
The demolition is to make way for the new education and research building under construction on campus.
