Demolition Set for April-POSTPONED
Mar 31, 2016 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
written by Lynn S. Ulsh, Bulletin Reporter
According to Bellingham DPW Director Don DiMartino, the bridge on South Main St./Rte. 126 just south of Elm Street will be demolished and a new road constructed in April. Plans call for the closure of Route 126 at the bridge and a detour of all traffic for 105 hours beginning Friday, April 15. This schedule would facilitate the road reopening on Tuesday, 4/19 (worst-case scenario would put the reopening on Wednesday, 4/20, at 5:30 am).
The state has been working on the project under the existing bridge since last summer. Under the supervision of Paul Cappelletti of the John Rocchio Corporation and Jim Galvin of the MA Dept. of Transportation (DOT), a high-arch concrete tunnel has been constructed to accommodate the Rails to Trail path that goes under the current bridge.
According to DiMartino, the current bridge will be removed, fill will be placed over and around the tunnel, and the roadway will be installed over the fill; no new bridge needs to be constructed. Originally the height of the hill was to be significantly reduced; however, the tunnel was built to a height to accommodate equestrian use so the hill will remain.
During the closure, traffic will be detoured at the Crooks Corner intersection of Route 126 and Pulaski Blvd. The detour will route northbound traffic east along Pulaski Blvd. and north onto Center Street to the Center St./Route 126 intersection, working in reverse for south-bound traffic.
According to Bellingham DPW Director Don DiMartino, the bridge on South Main St./Rte. 126 just south of Elm Street will be demolished and a new road constructed in April. Plans call for the closure of Route 126 at the bridge and a detour of all traffic for 105 hours beginning Friday, April 15. This schedule would facilitate the road reopening on Tuesday, 4/19 (worst-case scenario would put the reopening on Wednesday, 4/20, at 5:30 am).
The state has been working on the project under the existing bridge since last summer. Under the supervision of Paul Cappelletti of the John Rocchio Corporation and Jim Galvin of the MA Dept. of Transportation (DOT), a high-arch concrete tunnel has been constructed to accommodate the Rails to Trail path that goes under the current bridge.
According to DiMartino, the current bridge will be removed, fill will be placed over and around the tunnel, and the roadway will be installed over the fill; no new bridge needs to be constructed. Originally the height of the hill was to be significantly reduced; however, the tunnel was built to a height to accommodate equestrian use so the hill will remain.
During the closure, traffic will be detoured at the Crooks Corner intersection of Route 126 and Pulaski Blvd. The detour will route northbound traffic east along Pulaski Blvd. and north onto Center Street to the Center St./Route 126 intersection, working in reverse for south-bound traffic.
