Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 2/15/2022
CHICOPEE/LUDOW – Infrastructure improvements continue to be stressed across the state, with Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito approving a list of 146 bridge repairs as a part of a $3 billion program over the next five years.
The approved list includes several Western Massachusetts bridge projects, including a $3.5 million replacement of Springfield’s St. James Avenue bridge, $34.8 million toward replacing the Armory Street bridge in Springfield and $470,600 to replace the Piney Lane bridge in Ludlow. Along with the replacements, the list also includes several bridges that seek extensive preservation work, like the Chicopee Street bridge and bridges in Chicopee and Holyoke along I-391.
State Sen. Eric Lesser believes the bridge funding is another essential component to strengthening the state. With decaying pieces of infrastructure existing across the commonwealth, Lesser expressed that improvements would help create jobs while also unlocking the potential of every community.
“We have a lot of great companies and innovations here, but we know that our infrastructure is holding us back. Our roads are in bad shape, traffic is bad and public transit in many places is outdated or nonexistent. By better connecting people on where they need to go, we are going to save a lot of money and open a lot more doors for people,” said Lesser in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
With bridges, Lesser stressed that repairs hold extra significance given the innate safety issue. “We have a very urgent safety issue with bridges. A bridge represents a safety risk if it’s not properly maintained or supported,” said Lesser. The state senator referenced the shutdown of the Red Bridge connecting Ludlow and Wilbraham years ago as an example of how a bridge closure can restrict a community.
“When a bridge closes, it creates significant problems,” said Lesser.
The Baker-Polito bridges project is one of numerous infrastructure efforts in development. The state office also revealed the appropriation of $5.4 billion in highway formula funds, $2.2 billion in MBTA formula funds and $591 million in regional transit authority formula funds, according to the State House News Service. Lesser said improvemnts to bridge and other infrastructure come at a vital time after the pandemic halted progress.
“There was a period in 2020 where a lot of construction was grounded to a halt … That created a set of cascading consequences, including some backlogs and delays, that we’re still trying to get unsnagged,” said Lesser.
In discussion of the local bridge projects, Lesser expressed that the infrastructure improvements will create well-paying jobs for Western Mass residents. He also shared that repairs to the Armory Street and St. James Avenue bridges will further fortify
the area’s rail services.
“The St. James Avenue and Armory Street bridges are over CSX train lines, so we need to make sure those are repaired and in good shape,” said Lesser.
Ludlow
As part of this round, MassDOT will be funding the replacement of the Piney Lane bridge that runs over Broad Brook. Construction is set to begin in the fall of 2023.
In a letter to the town of Ludlow, Adam Zysk, the principal engineer on the project, said the project will be a complete replacement of the bridge based on the bridge’s latest inspection.
“According to the latest bridge inspection report the crossing is rated in serious condition due to rust, holes and settling within the culverts, erosion due to undermining and scour and poor condition of the pavement and guardrail. Due to the age and degree of deterioration they will be completely replaced,” he wrote.
One of the larger parts of the project is the replacement of three culverts under the bridge.
“The proposed project will consist of removing the three culverts and replacing them with precast prestressed concrete adjacent deck beams supported on drill shafts. The new bridge will be in the same location as the existing crossing,” he wrote.
While the bridge currently has two travel lanes, the replacement will be one with wider shoulders on each side.
“The proposed deck will be approximately 31 feet, 11 inches in total width. The proposed bridge will consist of one 11-foot lane with a 3-foot, 7-inch shoulder in each direction. It is estimated that 250 feet of approach work west of the new bridge and 350 feet of approach work east of the new bridge will be needed to complete the work,” he wrote.
Under the contract, MassDOT will be overseeing the entire project.
“The work to be done under this contract consists of furnishing all necessary labor, materials, equipment and services to replace Bridge L-16-026 over Broad Brook and improve the alignment and profile of Piney Lane,” he wrote. “Work will be performed at the project site in the town of Ludlow within District 2 of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The work will include bridge replacement, embankment construction road and safety improvements and related items of work.”