Adam RollinsThe Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently held a public hearing for an $18.5 million project to replace two bridges in Pittsfield. Construction on the project, which is currently in the design phase, is expected to begin in 2027.
The two bridges carrying South Street over the Housatonic River and Railroad are deteriorating, posing a risk to travelers regularly crossing the structures. The bridges have inadequate clearance and hydraulic opening, concrete deterioration, corroded decks and cracked and rusty superstructures.
As part of the project, MassDOT will demolish the bridges and build two structurally sound bridges to replace them. The replacement bridges will span 1,760 feet and will maintain two travel lanes each. Each bridge will also feature dedicated shoulders that double as bike lanes, buffers and sidewalks.
MassDOT will also reconstruct and improve roadways to better align with the new bridge infrastructure. Improvements will include roadway widening, milling and overlay, full depth reconstruction, sidewalk reconstruction, new guardrails, installation of pedestrian signals at an adjacent intersection and upgrades for street lighting.
Additional work will involve relocating utilities and implementing erosion control. During construction, the project will have temporary pedestrian bridges installed and provide a detour route for motorists.
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