About the Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge superstructure replacements

The project replaced two deteriorated bridge superstructures that carry vehicles and pedestrians over the MBTA’s Orange Line and Commuter Rail, while significantly upgrading transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure along this critical corridor.

Project complete

We are pleased to announce that the Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements Project reached the Final Completion milestone. Construction began in spring of 2024 and reached full beneficial use in December of 2025. 

Remaining work includes final punch list items and will be completed by the end of May 2026.

The project included the replacement of two deteriorated bridge superstructures that carry vehicles and pedestrians over the Orange Line and Commuter Rail, along with necessary repairs to the substructure of each bridge. Each bridge now features dedicated sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and bus-only lanes, improving safety and access for all users. Pedestrian, bicycle, and transit accommodations were also upgraded on Lombardi Street between Broadway and Mystic Avenue, on Broadway and Maffa Way between Lombardi Street and Caldwell Street, and between Sullivan Square Station and Mystic Avenue. 

The previous bus lanes on Broadway eastbound between Lombardi Street and Sullivan Station and the turn lane between Sullivan Station from Mystic Ave have been upgraded and expanded to improve reliability and efficiency. New bus lanes have also been added on Mystic Ave westbound and Lombardi Street southbound. These bus lanes help Routes 85, 89, 90, 95, and 101 run more safely and with more consistent travel times, and support operations between Charlestown Garage and Sullivan Station to help guarantee trips start on time. 

Transit signal priority is installed and activated at the intersection of Mystic Ave at Grand Union Boulevard and Lombardi St and the intersection of Broadway at Lombardi Street, reducing delays at red lights and helping buses move more efficiently through congested areas.  The addition of these transit priority infrastructure measures helps support Better Bus Network changes allowing the MBTA to continue to grow bus service. The most recent addition being Route 85, which replaced Route CT2 and has a new connection to Assembly that now runs through bus lanes.