By Beth David, Editor
The transportation and infrastructure bond bill signed by Governor Baker earlier this month includes $100 million for the permitting and construction of the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge.
State Rep. Bill Straus and state transportation officials presented information to Fairhaven officials on August 10. Rep. Straus also spoke about the presentation at the Select Board meeting on 8/15.
State officials will hold public meetings/presentations later this fall.
The bill authorizes the spending, Rep. Straus said, and allows the state to borrow the money.
Engineers and state officials are looking at several possibilities for replacing the current swing bridge, including a different design swing bridge; two different types of drawbridges, properly called a “bascule” or a lifting bridge; and a vertical lift, which actually lifts the whole road, like the railroad bridge on the Cape. Each type of bridge has its pros and cons.
MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said some of the considerations
Officials answer questions from the press after a presentation at Fairhaven High School about the Fairhaven-New Bedford Bridge project on 8/10/22. L-R: Ben Berke from The Public’s Radio, Rep. Bill William Straus, MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Mass. DOT Chief Engineer Carrie E. Lavallee. Photo by Beth David.
include the impact different bridge types will have on local businesses on the road leading up to the bridge; how long it will take for each bridge type to open and close, which interrupts road traffic; and how each type of bridge will help or hinder marine traffic to the new north terminal being built for wind turbine production.
Because it is a navigation channel, the US Coast Guard is also a major player in any design and construction plans.
After state officials feel they have a good idea on what design they want to use, they will set up public meetings to get input from people who use the road and those who use the channel.
“It’s a balancing act between road users and marine traffic,” said Mr. Gulliver.
The goal is for the bridge to open less often. The higher the bridge, the more boats can fit under. The way it is designed now, all boats need for the bridge to open.
One thing that is not contested, is the need for the bridge to be replaced.
Built in 1899 and completed in 1903, the current bridge has been rehabilitated several times. Twelve different studies have been done that include the bridge, including seven replacement studies going back to 1966, and other studies that included the road or harbor.
The bridge has cracks in the concrete, impact damage to railings, corrosion, missing bolts, and (as we all know) machinery and operating Systems in poor condition requiring continued maintenance and replacement of critical parts, according to the presentation.
Functional deficiencies include long opening time, minimal under-clearance that requires bridge opening for most vessels, narrow navigational channel, lack of connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The bridge opens about 4,000 times a year. A higher bridge would not have to open as often, and a new bridge would not take as long to open and close.
Making the bridge too high, though, would isolate the properties underneath it, such as the businesses in the commercial plaza that abuts the bridge.
Some of the inconveniences of the project include a full road closure and detour during portions of the project, and short-term closures to navigation that will have to be coordinated with the Coast Guard.
Project managers expect to start public outreach in late fall. Agencies that will need to be involved include New Bedford and Fairhaven, USCG, US Army Corps of Engineers, national and state environmental agencies, state historic preservation office.
Replacing the bridge has been discussed since at least 1966, but this is the first time that significant funds have been earmarked for the project.
The first time he got stuck behind the bridge, it was “quaint,” said Rep. Straus.
“By the second time, the quaintness had worn off,” he said.
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