All businesses in Bradford and Haverhill remain accessible, open and ready to serve you. MassDOT urges drivers familiar with local streets to exercise caution and courtesy when attempting to bypass traffic. Please refrain from cutting through small streets with limited pedestrian accommodations, especially if they are host to schools or other youth-serving facilities.
MassDOT encourages all drivers who wish to avoid the work zone to cross the Merrimack River on I-495. Routes to I-495 from Bradford and Haverhill can be found here.
Left turns from the bridge onto Merrimack Street are prohibited. Please see the section addressing the Merrimack Street intersection for more information.
Anticipated work for the week of November 8th through November 15th
PFC Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge
Activities
- Relocation of Verizon telephone cables.
- Installation of bulkheads (structures to contain debris) in the enclosed work zone in preparation for demolition.
Traffic Impacts by Time of Day
- For the relocation of Verizon telephone cables:
- Daytime work will be behind barrier without impacts to traffic Monday to Friday between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, for the week addressed by this lookahead.
- The bridge’s western (upstream) sidewalk is currently part of the work zone. Pedestrians are directed to the use the eastern sidewalk. Pedestrians may request assistance from the police detail when crossing the intersections at either end of the bridge.
- For the installation of bulkheads:
- Work will be behind barrier without impacts to traffic Monday to Friday 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, for the week addressed by this lookahead.
Noise impacts:
- Daytime noise levels will be similar to normal traffic operations with vehicles running to deliver material and personnel as well as power tools operating to relocate telephone cables, and install bulkhead components.
Route 125/Middlesex Street
The Bradford Rail Trail is detoured to run through the intersection of Route 125 and Middlesex Street. The trail’s tunnel under the Basiliere Bridge is part of the work zone and should not be accessed by members of the public. Please follow posted signage to use the detour route.
Activities
- Relocation of Verizon telephone cables.
Traffic Impacts by Time of Day
- For the relocation of Verizon telephone cables:
- Closure of the western sidewalk leading onto the Basiliere Bridge. All businesses accessed by the western sidewalk approaching the bridge will remain accessible to pedestrians.
Noise impacts:
- Noise levels will be similar to traffic operations with vehicles running to deliver material and personnel as well as power tools operating to relocate telephone cables.
Route 125/Merrimack Street/Water Street
Access to the Dempsey Board walk is as normal at this time.
The left turn from the bridge onto Merrimack Street is prohibited to all vehicles. The northbound (towards downtown Haverhill) left lane is for through movements only. Haverhill police are monitoring the intersection and will issue citations to motorists who do not follow the new traffic pattern.
Activities
- Relocation of Verizon telephone cables.
Traffic Impacts by Time of Day
- To support safe operations within the stage 1A work zone:
- All left turns from the bridge onto Merrimack Street are prohibited. Vehicles will be directed to the following signed detour route:
- Continue on State Route 125 to the intersection with Ginty Boulevard and Bailey Boulevard.
- Turn left on Bailey Boulevard.
- Proceed past the intersections of Bailey Boulevard/Haverhill Place and Bailey Boulevard/How Street.
- Turn left on Emerson Street.
- Proceed to Merrimack Street.
- For the relocation of Verizon telephone cables:
- Closure of the western sidewalk leading onto the Basiliere Bridge. All businesses accessed by the western sidewalk approaching the bridge will remain accessible to pedestrians.
Noise impacts:
- Noise levels will be somewhat elevated above normal traffic operations with vehicles running to deliver material and personnel as well as power tools operating to relocate telephone cables.
Merrimack River below the Bridge
Activities
- Relocation of the National Grid gas line.
Travel Impacts by Time of Day
- For the relocation of the National Grid gas line:
- Construction barges have been established at the bridge site outside of the navigation channel and will not impact boat traffic on the Merrimack. These barges will be present throughout the project to support on-water activities and lit at each corner for nighttime visibility.
Noise impacts:
- Noise will be similar to background levels on the river with machinery running to provide access to the underside of the bridge and power tools operating to undertake the necessary work to move the gas line.
South Kimball Street laydown site
Activities
- Storage of equipment, materials, and vehicles between shifts or when not immediately needed at the bridge itself.
Traffic Impacts by Time of Day
- Single vehicles may enter or exit the yard at any time during day or night shifts to deliver personnel or equipment.
Noise impacts:
- Noise levels may briefly be elevated above background levels while vehicles enter or exit the facility or stage equipment. Crews have been directed to operate as efficiently as possible and reminded that they are near homes and to act accordingly, especially at night.
Completed work
- Installation of additional bridge lighting: Complete.
- Relocation of Verizon telephone cables: 95%
This anticipated schedule for this major infrastructure project is subject to change without notice due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.