ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The temporary drawbridge is in use over the Saugus River with planning for a permanent span underway.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The state is crossing a bridge with a project that has been ongoing for several years.
For many concerned residents and officials, Wednesday night’s hearing on the proposed project to replace the temporary draw bridge on Route 107 with a new, permanent structure, lacked major surprises. But for one property owner who has been doing business on Western Avenue for 20 years, it was a game changer.
Tim Horgan, owner of Stoneham Boat Center, said he attended the meeting to learn more about the project. He didn’t expect to look at designs and see that the state’s plans included taking his property.
Horgan and his wife Eileen have leased 1147 Western Ave. for two decades. They purchased a 21,000-square-foot parcel at the corner of Western Avenue and Ballard Street, across the river from their family-owned shop.
“I’ve done some work over there and have tried to maintain it,” said Horgan. “I’ve been waiting for the economy to turn around. We had long-term plans for the property.”
He hoped to improve its appearance and eventually open a store. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Division plans to place an emergency generator and parking spots for the bridge tender and maintenance staff on the lot.
“I just learned this tonight,” Horgan said. “I don’t have a plan of action.”
The state will have the property appraised and offer the Horgans a sum of money, said Rick Ferni from the MassDOT’s Right of Way Bureau. If they feel the amount is insufficient, they have three years to appeal to the courts.
Project Manager Paul King said comments made at the forum and any written feedback submitted to the state in the next 10 days will be considered in the design. But he said it was unlikely plans for the Horgan’s property would be reconsidered.
The proposed project is expected to begin in 2019 and last for about three-and-a-half years.
It includes constructing the replacement for the previously removed permanent drawbridge. Portions of Route 107 at each bridge approach and at the Ballard Street intersection will be reconstructed.
A temporary drawbridge was constructed beside the original 1913 Belden Bly Bridge, also known as the Fox Hill Bridge, to allow one lane of traffic to run in each direction between Western Avenue in Lynn and Route 107 in Saugus while it was demolished.
The temporary bridge, which was completed in 2013, will be removed. Ennie Eleuteri, design project manager with STV Inc., said the temporary structure was designed to last 10 to 15 years.
The existing water main will be replaced along the approaches and beneath the river. Sidewalks will be added to both sides of Route 107, in addition to a bicycle lane.
The marine channel will be widened from 40 feet to 50 feet and the bridge will be elevated one additional foot.
Vehicle turning lanes will be added at the intersection of Ballard Street and Route 107. The intersection delay is expected to be reduced by more than 50 percent during peak morning and evening hours.
Ferni said the overall project is in the best interest of the community.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
