LYNN — Built more than 100 years ago, the Commercial Street commuter rail bridge is slated to be replaced and MBTA officials will outline the work plan during a Sept. 9 virtual meeting.
The meeting is scheduled between 6-7:30 p.m. The log-on link for the meeting is:
Built in 1913 with an expected 75-year lifespan, the bridge is scheduled to be replaced in spring, 2021. The work will stretch into the fall and require, according to a project description, at least two weekend commuter rail service shutdowns, tentatively scheduled for summer and fall.
Ward 6 City Councilor Fred Hogan said he and state Rep. Peter Capano received project details during a meeting with MBTA officials, including plans to shut down Commercial Street during the project and detour traffic.
Hogan said MBTA officials briefed them on plans to shut Commercial Street to traffic on five weekends with detours planned for Pleasant Street and Neptune Boulevard. Weekday work would not include street closings or detours.
“Pete and I brought traffic concerns to them. I am impressed with the plan they have going forward,” Hogan said.
The Commercial Street bridge carries commuter rail service for the Newburyport/Rockport Line over Commercial Street in Lynn between River Works and Lynn Station. According to the project description, the replacement project will reduce future maintenance and repair costs on the bridge and provide safer, more reliable commuter rail service.
Some of the work will be noisy, according to the project description, and commuters will be kept updated with service change announcements as the work proceeds.
“We do not expect commuter rail service to be affected on weekdays during construction. Shuttles may replace train service during this time,” states the project description.
The Lynn bridge and five others, including ones in Lawrence and Melrose, were built in the early 20th century and are slated to be replaced under a $91 million contract intended to reduce design and construction time and increase accountability as the projects unfold.
The MBTA is also planning design and construction work in the Market/Broad streets commuter rail garage. Design work is underway and construction is scheduled to begin in late 2021 with the work taking three to four years.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
