Local officials and public safety planners recognize the necessity of the work ahead, yet they are concerned about the traffic disruptions that will likely result when the state launches a year-long bridge replacement initiative on Washington Avenue, which will essentially divide the City into two sections.
According to City Manager Jay Ash, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) has started collaborating with the City regarding the upcoming replacement project near City Hall and Central Fire, and plans to release official details about the closure strategy in the near future.
Ash stated this week: “fblikebutton_button” “I had let our departments know so they could start thinking about it, and they are, but we have not received and processed enough information yet to determine the full impact and our plans to mitigate that impact. It should be noted that pedestrian access across the bridge will be maintained throughout the duration of the construction. Yes, in the end, we’re grateful to get a fully reconstructed bridge that will ensure safety and convenient travel over it, and under it for the Commuter Rail and Silver Line. Unfortunately, though, to get there, there will be some short-term operational matters to be addressed.”
While details remain preliminary, the roadway is expected to require closure for more than a year once construction commences. The initiative was revealed in late last year as part of the comprehensive Silver Line/Commuter Rail/Pedestrian Walkway project championed by the City and Gov. Deval Patrick.
This bridge replacement will rank among the first components of that larger project to be finished.
Fire and Police departments have raised concerns about emergency response times, since they will lack access to one of the primary routes for reaching the west side of the city.
Traffic management presents another significant challenge, requiring carefully planned detour routes.
Washington Avenue recently completed a substantial roadway and sidewalk reconstruction effort that concluded in late summer. The timing of the bridge project remains uncertain, though some anticipate it could begin as early as this summer.