Broadway Street Bridge in Hanover and Hanson Re-opens

October 8, 2010
Press Release
Contact:  Adam Hurtubise (617) 973-8093

Patrick-Murray Administration Opens Hanover/Hanson Bridge Ahead of Schedule
$1.4 Million Accelerated Bridge Program Project Replaces Deficient Bridge


BOSTON - October 8, 2010 - The Patrick-Murray Administration announced today that the Broadway Street Bridge over the Indian Head River connecting Hanover and Hanson opened today 20 months ahead of schedule. The project is part of Governor Deval Patrick's historic Accelerated Bridge Program to reverse years of neglect and significantly reduce the state's backlog of structurally deficient bridges.


"I am pleased to see another success story as we work overtime to repair and replace the bridges that suffered from years of neglect during the construction of the Big Dig," said Governor Patrick. "We've streamlined the construction process in order to deliver projects like the Broadway Street Bridge ahead of schedule - and that attention and efficiency really matters to the communities of Hanover, Hanson and countless others across Massachusetts."

"I want to commend Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray for having the vision to create the Accelerated Bridge program, which has made our roads and bridges safer than they were three years ago," said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Jeff Mullan. "Our strategic transportation investments are also putting people to work and providing economic benefits in towns and cities across the Commonwealth."

"The early, under budget completion of the Broadway Street Bridge project that, once again, links Hanover and Hanson is certainly welcomed news for area residents and those who travel these roads regularly. I appreciate the efforts of the Administration, the Department of Transportation and all those involved with expediting the reconstruction of this bridge, and am pleased that constituents have one less detour during their morning and afternoon commutes," said Senator Tom Kennedy.

The project replaced the existing deteriorated bridge built in 1907 and rebuilt in 1930. The original completion date for the $1.4 million project was May 2012. Last fall, MassDOT offered local officials and legislators a proposal to shorten the construction schedule and save $200,000 by changing to a precast bridge structure that eliminated construction in phases in favor of closing the bridge with detour. The work began in April and was completed in seven months, 20 months ahead of the original schedule.

Since the Patrick-Murray Administration filed legislation approved by the Legislature creating the $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP) in 2008, the number of structurally deficient bridges has dropped from 543 to 482, a decline of more than 10 percent. As a result of ABP alone, 24 bridge projects are already complete, with a total of 62 bridge projects scheduled for construction this season. Over the course of the program, at least 200 bridges will see active construction.

Together, the Patrick-Murray Administration's investment in roads and bridges has grown to $1.085 billion in fiscal year 2010 and will support more than 10,000 jobs on 385 separate projects across the state. At the same time, MassDOT reduced the time from construction contract advertisement to construction start by more than 43 percent - a drop from 218 days in 2008 to 124 days in 2009. For federal stimulus-funded projects, the timeline from construction contract advertisement to notice to proceed was reduced to 48 days, allowing MassDOT to put people to work on construction projects faster than ever before.

MassDOT is the new, unified transportation organization created in 2009 under the historic reform legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick. MassDOT's four divisions are focused on delivering safe and efficient transportation services across the Commonwealth.

For transportation news and updates, visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.
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