MassDOT CA/T Survey Data Availability

MassDOT District Survey Supervisor Clark Donkin, PLS, would like to announce the availability of data from the CA/T Survey Control Extension Program now that work in Boston Proper is nearing completion (East Boston and South Boston remain). This undertaking entailed adding/replacing/resurveying about 85 points along the I-93 corridor between Kneeland Street and Causeway Street. Coordinates remain referenced to the original Datum. At present, they have not levelled through most of the points, but have good trigonometric heights established on all points tied into whatever existing CA/T, MAGS, and NGS benchmarks that remain.

The District 6 Survey Section also has the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) records for the Boston Extension and much of the initial highway. Surveyors are welcome to review and copy the files/plans or request that the Survey Section do their research. However, MassDOT is not responsible for the thoroughness of the research as it isn’t their project.

The data is only retrievable through the MassDOT District 6 office. Anyone looking for the data can request it by contacting Clark Donkin (clark.donkin@state.ma.us; 857/368-6156) or by calling 857/368-6100 and asking to speak with the Survey Section. A sketch plan showing the limits of the survey that needs control is required. This helps MassDOT pull the best control for the project. The data is then delivered by email as a pdf file or can be picked up at the district office. Since this control is designed to only support the CA/T project, the network still runs parallel to and within the areas of Boston impacted by the project.  Presently only Boston Proper has been updated with new survey control. Sections of East and South Boston will likely be updated later this year following planned sidewalk reconstruction. If someone is working on a MassDOT project, they support any control needs as best they can by establishing new points as needed or recovering existing points in the area.