New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge
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NEW BEDFORD/FAIRHAVEN — Two public meetings on the design and permitting for the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge replacement have been scheduled for early October.

That's according to a release from State Rep. Bill Straus, the state legislature's transportation committee chair, and other officials.

The meetings will be held by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to receive public input on the design of a new bridge across the Acushnet River.

 

The first meeting will take place on Oct. 3 at the Fairhaven High School, and the second on Oct. 6 at New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.

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Both public input sessions will start at 6:30 p.m. and are open to anyone, with live meeting coverage expected to be available over the internet as well.

Design consultants and other project staff will attend both meetings.

Earlier this year, officials solicited bridge design proposals and this summer $100 million in state funds was set aside for the bridge design and replacement project as part of a massive transportation and climate bill.

According to the release, transportation officials are currently aiming for the project to reach a critical 25% design threshold for a new bridge by next autumn, in 2023.

Replacing the Route 6 bridge, which was built in 1899, has become what Straus called "a legislative priority" due to its deteriorating condition and increasing costs of maintenance.

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