Shrewsbury/Worcester – On Monday, August 13, the south (eastbound) sidewalk of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge connecting Worcester and Shrewsbury via Route 9 will close for demolition.? This sidewalk will remain closed until late 2013 when the new eastbound bridge opens.? Sidewalk demolition is expected to be fully complete during the week of September 3.
This removal is a project requirement to allow the start of construction on the replacement Burns Bridge. Demolition of the sidewalk will take place at night from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.?? As has been stated in public information meetings and on the project website, this night work is a project requirement to ensure that all lanes on the bridge can be available to commuters during peak travel periods.??
Beginning the week of August 13 and running through the week of September 3, motorists should expect nightly lane closures of the eastbound lanes (from Worcester to Shrewsbury).? Beginning at approximately 9:00 p.m., the eastbound low speed lane will close. Later in the evening, all eastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound lanes of the bridge at the intersection of Route 9/Lake Avenue and returned to the eastbound lanes of Route 9 at the Route 9/Quinsigamond Avenue intersection.
This closure is a project necessity to allow demolition machinery and workers unimpeded access to the south sidewalk.? The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recommends that drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for trips through the work zone, especially over the next several weeks.? Drivers are reminded to reduce speed and exercise caution when traveling through the site.? The lane shift will be configured to allow the passage of emergency vehicles if needed.
MassDOT and its design/build team are aware of the many pedestrians that use the Burns Bridge to travel between Worcester and Shrewsbury and that closure of the south sidewalk will present an inconvenience.? To address this, upgrades to the crosswalks, sidewalks, wheelchair ramps and pedestrian signals will be made at the Lake Avenue/Belmont Street intersection. ?In addition, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority will provide a shuttle bus service three times a week for senior citizens between Lincoln Park Towers and the White City Shopping Plaza.? Shuttle service is expected to begin on August 13 and run through the end of 2013.?
The replacement of the Burns Bridge is taking place under the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic Accelerated Bridge Program, an eight year, $3 billion effort to repair or replace structurally deficient bridges throughout the Commonwealth.? For more information about this job, visit www.mass.gov/massdot/kenburnsbridge.
