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Willimansett Bridge construction to resume

Date: 5/16/2014

By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE – Workers will return shortly to the Willimansett Bridge to complete the rebuilding project after an eight-month hiatus caused by the bankruptcy of the company awarded the job by the state.

Massachusetts Department of transportation (MassDOT) announced on May 13 that work should resume “within the next several days” at the bridge.

Northern Construction Service was the successful bidder for the $18 million completion of bridge, according to a statement issued by MassDOT.

The company will employ double shifts to insure that project is completed by July 11, 2015.  If the deadline is missed Northern will pay about $6,200 for each day past that date until the bridge is completed.  

State Rep. Joseph Wagner told Reminder Publications that the new bidding process was fair. He explained that MassDOT and insurance company AIG chose between Northern Construction and J.F. White Construction. The gap between the two bids was $750,000.

“This agreement is good news for the residents and businesses in Chicopee that have been impacted by the closure of this bridge. Northern Construction is a good contractor, and I expect they’ll hit it hard and meet the completion date,” Wagner said. 

State Rep. Aaron Vega said, “I am happy to see this project get back on track. Businesses and residents have been negatively affected by the delay and have been waiting for this news. This bridge project will reopen a major gateway between our communities.”