A view of the Great River Sister Bridges from the Elm Street side of the river. (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – MassDOT has scheduled an inspection of the Great River Bridge (US 202/MA 10 over the Westfield River) on Monday and Tuesday, July 9 and 10, 2018. The inspection will take place both above and below the bridge structures.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti said this is a routine inspection that occurs every five years for bridges that are in good shape. He said they will bring a special crane to come in to look over and underneath the bridge, so drivers should be aware that cones will be out, and some single lane closures will be required at times during the inspection process. “Nothing to be alarmed about,” Cressotti said.
The following two days, Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12, MassDOT has scheduled bridge deck surface repairs on the bridges over the Westfield River and Powder Mill River on Route 20 out by Home Depot, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regarding the Cowles bridge replacement, Cressotti said MassDOT has submitted a 25% design package for the bridge work, which is posted at www.cityofwestfield.org under the Engineering Department, Active Projects.
The 25% drawings include a conceptual phasing plan that will allow traffic to utilize the existing bridge while the new bridge is constructed. The project includes a realignment and widening of Southwick Road to provide turning lanes at City View Road and Mill Street. The City View Road traffic signal will be replaced and a new traffic signal is proposed at the intersection of Mill Street. Both the design and construction of the project are funded by MassDOT.
The Cowles Bridge project is scheduled to begin in 2020. A public hearing to receive input from the City and residents is expected to be scheduled this summer, and should be posted shortly.
The Great River Bridge and Cowles Bridge are owned by the MassDOT, Cressotti said.
