MassDOT Presents Options For “Antiquated” Bridge

How many times have you been stuck waiting for the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge to open up?

MassDOT has been studying short- and long-term options to bring the antiquated bridge into the 21st century and presented them to the public at the Seaport Inn & Marina Wednesday night.

A new bridge design won't make the wait any shorter, but one short term option will help you plan a better route.

Project Manager Ethan Britland says improved signs warning drivers of bridge closings could ease traffic flow.

Three options to replace the bridge were also discussed.

Single Leaf Bascule: (Clearance) channel width - 150 ft, verticle  - unlimited; (Construction) duration - 26 months, roadway closure - 3 months (23 months 2-lanes), navigational closure - 1 weekend; (Cost) $50 - $70 million

Double Leaf Bascule: (Clearance) channel width - 150 ft, verticle  - unlimited; (Construction) duration - 37 months, roadway closure - 24 months (13 months 2-lanes), navigational closure - 3 weekends; (Cost) $85 - $100 million

Vertical Lift: (Clearance) channel width - 270 ft, verticle  - 110 ft; (Construction) duration - 33 months, roadway closure - 2 weeks, navigational closure - 1 weekend; (Cost) $90 - $120 million

One more informational meeting will be held in April and the completed findings of the study will be presented in May.