The PFC Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge crosses the Merrimack River in the center of Haverhill. It carries Route 125, locally known as Bridge Street. The bridge rests on seven spans. It has two lanes crossing the river and four lanes at the nearest intersections in Bradford and Haverhill. Haverhill. Each side of the bridge also supports a sidewalk. The bridge is a vital connector for the City of Haverhill. 25,000+ vehicles per day cross the bridge. This figure includes heavy vehicles such as trucks, school buses, and Merrimack Valley Transit Authority (MEVA) buses.
All the bridge’s parts show the wear of nearly a century of service. Even parts users cannot see are in poor condition with the foundations subject to scour. The scour results from the river’s current colliding with the bridge’s piers. As a result, the riverbed around the piers is eroding. Frequent inspections and repairs keep the bridge safe for all users, but have a real impact on the traveling public.
The new Basiliere Bridge’s arches recall today’s bridge.
The limits of work for project include the bridge and the two nearest intersections. These are Main/Water/Merrimack Street and South Main/Middlesex Street. A short section of Main Street between Merrimack Street and Ginty Boulevard is also included.
As of the summer of 2024, MassDOT is actively developing the Request for Proposals (RFP) which will be made available to design/builders by the end of the year. The new bridge will be built using design/build methods. With this project delivery method, MassDOT develops a base concept. A contractor or contractors will then team with an engineering design firm forming a design/build team. These teams submit their qualifications to bid for the project to MassDOT. The Best Value design/builder is awarded the project which includes completing the design and building the new structure. Best Value is determined by balancing a design/builder’s proposed technical approach and cost.
Design/build benefits:
- Teams may present innovative approaches to design.
- Teams may present innovative approaches to construction.
- The contractor joins the project early in the design effort. Construction activities can begin earlier, leading to faster project delivery.
MassDOT currently anticipates that construction will begin in late 2025 and last approximately six and a half years. Impacts to traffic, such as lane reductions on the bridge or major changes to the adjoining intersections, are currently projected to last roughly six years.
The new bridge bridge’s cross section provides separate travel ways for all modes.
The new bridge will improve safety for all users. Importantly, it can be built in two phases. Throughout construction, there will be one lane in each direction, and one sidewalk crossing the river. To learn more about anticipated construction staging, please see our 25% design public hearing presentation.
The structure meets MassDOT’s project goals in terms of:
- Serving today's and future traffic needs
- Improving cycling and walking conditions
- Improving the Merrimack River's water quality
- Reducing the number of piers in the river.
- Allowing continued boating on the Merrimack during and after construction
- Minimizing impacts to nearby properties
- Supporting utilities while the new bridge is being built
- Providing opportunities for accelerated construction methods to reduce construction impacts
- Providing a look which reflects the old bridge while embracing the new
Reconstructing a local landmark
A detail view of the beacons and seating area at night.
The Basiliere Bridge is a symbol of Haverhill. Some version of its picture is on the City’s own website and the local Fire Department’s uniforms. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Latino Coalition also use a picture of the bridge in their logos. The new bridge is the result of a partnership between MassDOT and the Haverhill community. This partnership has produced a structure that reflects its host community and can be a source of pride for it as today’s bridge is.
Major elements of the replacement bridge that are direct results of this partnership include:
- An arched appearance that references the existing bridge.
- Under-bridge lighting that highlights the bridge’s arches at night.
- Vertical beacons that echo the existing bridge’s towers and can be lit at night.
- A central seating area to invite Haverhill community members to the bridge and enjoy views of the river
- A formally defined, four-lane cross-section with separate bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
- Reuse of the existing bridge’s tower roofs in the Bradford Rail Trail Park.
A robust public process continues into construction
The existing bridge’s tower roofs reused for gazebos in the Bradford Rail Trail Park.
The projected replacement for the PFC Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge is the result of a transparent, iterative public involvement process. Prior to the May 29th, 2024, Design Public Hearing, MassDOT held two public information meetings, two public workshops, and met directly with key local stakeholder groups: the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, the Haverhill Latino Coalition, and the Crescent Yacht Club which docks its boats immediately downstream of the bridge in Bradford. The community process has been marked by a cooperative spirit and key elements of the replacement bridge can be attributed in a large part to input from participants in the public process.
Public outreach will remain an important part of the project as it transitions towards construction in late 2025. Members of the Haverhill community can anticipate an introductory public information meeting which will explain how the design-builder will stage the project, steps they will take to keep traffic moving during construction, how they will meet environmental commitments, and more. Regular updates will be issued during construction so that residents can monitor project progress and know what to expect from construction activities.
While public engagement will be relatively modest between now and the beginning of construction, community members are still welcome to provide comments, ask questions, and sign up to receive project notifications.