Hudson will be moving forward later this year. (Photo/Ben Domaingue)
HUDSON – Hudson officials say they expect to begin planned repair work on a small bridge near the intersection of Main Street and Houghton Street by mid-June.
Department of Public Works Director Eric Ryder provided an update on this project in a Select Board meeting last week.
He said the Department of Public Works plans to work with the town’s contractor to keep one lane of outbound traffic open during construction.
“We’re looking at an expedited process, but still looking at four months,” he said, noting the expected duration of the project.
Bridge in ‘poor condition’
The bridge/culvert crosses Danforth Brook as it runs between Bruce’s Pond and the Assabet River.
The culvert additionally snakes under the parking lot of the Domino’s Pizza location in the downtown area.
Ryder first discussed issues with the structure in September of last year, explaining that it had fallen into “poor condition.”
Beams and concrete within the bridge were deteriorating, prompting the Department of Transportation and the bridge instructor to request a ban on parking along the span.
Ryder said that action helped delay this need to close the bridge for repairs.
Now, though, the town is eyeing a start to work in the second or third week of June.
Detour to impact traffic
With the repair process moving forward, Ryder said that traffic will continue to be able to flow out of town toward Sudbury.
Once work starts, however, traffic into town will be detoured along a similar path to the one used when work proceeded on the nearby Washington Street bridge in recent years.
Ryder said he believes this plan is the best option for traffic flow that will also maintain pedestrian access within the area.
“It is going to be disruptive; there’s no question about it,” Ryder said.
“We’re anticipating we’re carrying enough detail in the project, and we feel we’re comfortable with what’s going to happen,” he continued, though.
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