MassDOT Board Approves North Bank Bridge

The MassDOT Board of Directors today approved construction of a landmark bicycle-pedestrian connection from East Cambridge to Charlestown City Square and the Boston Harbor Waterfront- the North Bank Bridge.

The $25.3 million contract awarded to Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. is a "shovel ready" project funded by federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), creating jobs in the construction trades for ironworkers, electricians, masons, surveyors, and laborers as well as fabricators and engineering professionals.  Construction is expected to take slightly more than two years. 

The project is part of required mitigation for the impact of the Central Artery/Tunnel project in the New Charles River Basin.

The North Bank Bridge River Walk over the Millers River and the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks will provide an accessible and safe multi-use path connection from Cambridge to Charlestown, with walkway connections from the bridge linking North Point Park and Paul Revere Park.  A connection will be provided to the recently constructed Cambridge Multi-Use Trail. 

The project completes surface restoration beneath and adjacent to the Zakim Bridge along the north and south banks of the Charles River and offers an enhanced route for residents traveling to the Charlestown waterfront and North End.  Learn more about ARRA federal stimulus transportation projects.

Comments

[credit repair letters]

I don't normally comment on blogs, however I have to say that I rather enjoyed yours as it was indepth. I´ve bookmarked your blog and hope to explorer it further when I have a little more time. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you!

[credit cards]

We need more pedestrian and runner/biker paths as part of our transportation infrastructure. When is the work scheduled to begin?
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Construction is underway in spring 2010 with completion in summer 2012.

[joe m]

Glad to hear that the project has been approved. We need more pedestrian and runner/biker paths as part of our transportation infrastructure. When is the work scheduled to begin?

Joe M.
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MassDOT Responds: A great project. Multi-use paths are a priority. Work begins in 2010, two years to completion.

[Jeff]

There's nothing "brilliant" about running up our nation's credit card to build more stuff to support TEMPORARY jobs and a lifestyle we absolutely cannot afford or sustain.

Don't get me wrong - I love the idea of having a connection between these two areas, but buying it on debt is simply neither prudent nor smart. This should be funded either by the municipal governments involved, through the state General Fund, or through private enterprise - or some combination - with existing (not borrowed or bond-created) money. Time to start living within our means!

I guess it'll be a nice place for our kids/grandkids to hang out and bum for spare change from our Chinese Overlord Masters in 50 years though.

[Roy]

Excellent! I can't wait! This is a brilliant use of stimulus funds - it brings in jobs AND improves the infrastructure in a wonderfully sustainable way. Congratulations.