By Joseph D. Elie, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – At the Dec. 6 meeting of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, Town Engineer Jack Perreault and Principal Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Wilson provided an update on the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge Replacement Project, which will result in a new six-lane span over Lake Quinsigamond along Route 9.
Perreault said construction is slated to begin in late spring of 2012 and is expected to take 36 to 39 months to complete. In order to ensure minimal disruption of the traffic flow, Perreault said, the old bridge will remain open while the new bridge is constructed. Two lanes of traffic will be allowed in both directions during peak hours of use.
Wilson said the new bridge, which recently underwent a design review to make it more aesthetically pleasing and more inviting to pedestrians and cyclists, is billed as a “gateway” between Shrewsbury and Worcester. Wilson said the new bridge will provide a straight continuous corridor from Turnpike Road in Shrewsbury to Belmont Street in Worcester.
More than 47,000 vehicles per day cross the existing bridge, which has no breakdown lanes; making the passage of emergency response vehicles nearly impossible. The new bridge will feature three lanes in each direction, in addition to breakdown lanes and sidewalks.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is overseeing the project, which is estimated to cost $137 million. 80 percent of the cost is being funded by the federal government.
Wilson also provided an overview of the 495/MetroWest Compact. She said the partnership area comprises 37 communities that have embarked upon creating a regional plan for sustainable growth. This plan also includes the identification of priority land use areas that would be appropriate for either development or protection. Wilson added that new growth will require infrastructure upgrades and will primarily be limited to existing downtowns and town centers, where jobs and transportation resources already exist.
