Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/26/2022
MONSON – After two and a half months of construction, the Route 32 bridge on the Monson/Palmer line has reopened.
The prolonged shutdown of the bridge began on Aug. 3 with a projected end date of Oct. 19. This time allowed for the state to remove the pre-existing bridge and replace it with a new one. Prior to this, there was a stoplight on this route causing one lane stop and go traffic.
On Oct. 21, only two days after the expected completion, the Route 32 bridge reopened.
During the 11-week construction process, Ben Murphy, highway surveyor, said they only had one problem. “They ran into trouble with the beams they were putting in,” shared Murphy. “When they [beams] came, they didn’t quite line up.” As a result, the engineers had to redesign the beams, which interrupted construction for about 10 days.
Murphy shared that the beams were installed about two weeks before the bridge reopened, allowing time for the cement to settle. Monday through Friday and even some Saturdays, workers were putting in roughly 10-hour shifts for the bridge to open on time.
“I actually am happy at the fact we were only two days off,” said Murphy. “That’s exciting.”
Aside from the beams, he noted that the project “went pretty smoothly.”
Throughout the shutdown, Murphy said he regularly spoke with the NEL Corporation, the contractors on the project. He also received updates from the state engineers because they used Monson roads as detours and experienced a significant increase on roads that haven’t seen that level of traffic. He continued, “It’s been a hassle. Roads that are taking a lot of this detour traffic should not necessarily have that much volume of traffic but to get where we have to be on this end of it, it’s something we had to do.” Murphy noted that residents have been “dealing” with the alternate routes. “The backroads haven’t sustained any damage through this,” shared Murphy. “We’re lucky in this aspect.”
Once the bridge reopened, Murphy said their focus was to take down the town’s two sign boards on Fenton Road and Upper Palmer Road. All the other signs are owned by the state, making it their responsibility to pick up.
“I do appreciate the people at [the Massachusetts Department of Transportation],” shared Murphy.” Sometimes it’s hard to get ahold of somebody but they do respond back. They’ve been very cooperative on our end of what we expect.”
He went on to thank the town of Monson for accepting this lengthy project.
Murphy also recognized a few businesses near the Route 32 bridge that have been affected by the road closure. This includes River Hollow Family Golf Center and The Mermaid and The Mariner, a gift shop and craft cottage, to name a few.
Rosa Goncalves, who owns River Hollow with her husband Tony, shared that they closed for the season on Oct. 19. Although the bridge shutdown did not close their golf center, she said it did affect their overall business. Goncalves remains hopeful for a better season next year.
With a new bridge for people to utilize and an easier way to get in and out of town, Murphy said this will “be good” for the local businesses that have been impacted.