Background
Preliminary design on the West Roxbury Parkway Project began in Spring 2021. A Pre-25% Design meeting with project stakeholders was held in Spring 2022. 25% Design plans were submitted to the City of Boston, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the MBTA in July 2022. A 25% Design Public Hearing was held in January 2023.
The latest bridge inspection report (2022) shows advanced deterioration of the Arthur J. Lewis bridge. Short term repairs have been made to the structure. The roadway over the bridge is currently limited to one traffic lane in each direction.
MassDOT will replace the bridge and make traffic and Complete Streets Improvements to the roadway. Accelerated Bridge Replacement techniques will be used to shorten construction and minimize impacts to travelers. Once complete, the bridge will carry one northbound lane and two southbound lanes, and buffered bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.
Project benefits
This project will replace the structurally deficient bridge, making passage safer for commuters, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Proposed bicycle lanes will tie into existing bicycle infrastructure on Belgrade Avenue and planned bicycle facilities on Centre Street and West Roxbury Parkway.
Schedule and processes
Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025 and last two years. Construction will take place during daytime and nighttime hours. Accelerated bridge techniques will be used to minimize construction time.
Impacts: Work will require the full closure of the bridge for 2-3 months. During the closure, Pedestrians and vehicles will be detoured via neighboring streets. Work on the bridge will require weekend shutdowns of the MBTA Needham Line. Shuttle buses will replace train trips during the shutdowns.
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