Shrewsbury/Worcester – Local and state dignitaries, including Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, will be participating in a ceremony Sunday Nov. 1 to mark the completion of the new Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge. The structure, which spans Lake Quinsigamond, and connects Shrewsbury and Worcester via Route 9, replaces the former bridge which was built in 1916. The new bridge has three lanes on each side, small “bump outs” with interpretive historical plaques and seating for viewing activities on the lake, accent lights that can change color, and bicycle-accommodating shoulders on both the left and right sides.
The ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m., will include fireworks from Middlesex Corp., the contractor for the project. MassDot advises that the bridge lighting and fireworks can be viewed from the western shore of the Lake at Regatta Point or from the northern sidewalk of the Burns Bridge. To accommodate the anticipated crowd of viewers, the right lane of the westbound barrel of the Burns Bridge will be closed to traffic. If you will be driving over this portion of the bridge during the ceremony, they ask that you please reduce speed, exercise caution, and allow additional time for your trip.
The new bridge was built as part of the commonwealth’s Accelerated Bridge Program.