I-391 included in Baker’s bridge funding announcement

Date: 2/16/2022

WESTERN MASS. – 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 dollar program over the next five years.

Baker announced the planned investment in 146 bridge projects statewide on Feb. 3, and was possible through a combination of funding, according to the State House News Service. The first source is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. Congressman Richard Neal announced in January that as part of the infrastructure law, Massachusetts will eventually receive $1.1 billion for bridge repair or replacement with a first payment of $225.3 million in 2022.
The congressman praised the infrastructure investments, but admitted they were long overdue.

“Modernized and improved bridges statewide will provide safety for all users, and create good-paying jobs for workers,” he said, “Bridges are vital pieces of our infrastructure – not only to our daily commutes, but also to emergency vehicles and the trucks that are making deliveries in our communities. I am grateful to the Biden Administration for making this promise that will be the catalyst for significant investment here in Western and central Massachusetts a reality.”

The approved list includes several Western Mass. bridge projects, including more than $8 million in preservation work on the bridges along Interstate 391, including the Holyoke viaduct.

According to information provided by Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the design phase has been completed and construction is set to begin this summer under the direction of MassDOT Bridge Preservation Engineer Alyson Bedard, who will serve as the project manager.

Other projects include Springfield projects such as a $3.5 million replacement of the St. James Avenue bridge, $34.8 million toward replacing the Armory Street bridge.

State Sen. Eric Lesser believes the bridge project is another essential component to strengthening the state. With decaying infrastructures existing across the commonwealth, Lesser expressed that infrastructure improvements will 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, referencing 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 State House News. Lesser expressed that the bridges project and other infrastructure improvements 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 Massachusetts 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.

Staff writers Matt Conway and Dennis Hackett and Managing Editor Chris Maza contributed to this report.