Press Release  MassDOT Hosts Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Opening of New Boston Street Bridge

WOBURN — Today in Woburn, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation joined local and state elected officials to celebrate the completion of the New Boston Street bridge replacement project in Woburn. The new bridge was dedicated as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge in honor of Woburn’s veterans. 

“Strong roads and bridges are essential to strong communities, and our administration is investing across Massachusetts to make our infrastructure safer, more reliable and better connected,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The new Boston Street Bridge will serve Woburn residents, workers, visitors and businesses for generations, and I’m especially proud that it will carry the name and honor the more than 1,700 Vietnam veterans who call Woburn home.”  

"Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassDOT is committed to providing safe, reliable, and effective infrastructure for cities and towns, and the Boston Street Bridge is a prime example of how bridges improve quality of life and serve communities," said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "This structure will provide a vital connection for residents and commuters for years to come and will also honor the service and sacrifice of Woburn's Vietnam veterans. Thank you to our local and state elected partners for their continued advocacy and support for this important project."  

"Dedicating this critical piece of infrastructure in honor of our Vietnam Veterans is another example of how Massachusetts pays tribute to those who have bravely served our Commonwealth and our country,” Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick said. “Every time a traveler uses this bridge, we encourage them to remember those who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms, and especially our service members from Woburn who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.” 

“The New Boston Street Bridge completes a critical segment that will enhance mobility and reconnect key parts of the city of Woburn, positioning the city to capitalize on its plans for future housing and job growth,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “I want to thank the city’s elected leadership for their support with this high-impact project and for sharing in the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s vision of creating new opportunities for economic development that will keep Massachusetts competitive on a global scale.”   

“It’s gratifying to drive over the new bridge knowing how many people have worked for decades to rebuild this critical connector to our thriving North Woburn neighborhoods. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has done our community proud building essential infrastructure and thoughtfully naming it in honor of those who sacrificed during the Vietnam War,” said Mayor Michael Concannon.   

"For the first time in nearly 50 years, this bridge restores an important connection that was lost decades ago, helping drive continued housing and economic development in the area while providing easier access to public transportation for thousands of commuters," said Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn), House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Housing. "It was a commitment by both the state and the city to get this done. I was fortunate to be involved in this effort at every level, from voting to fund the design as a member of the City Council to sponsoring the legislation in the House of Representatives to dedicate the bridge in honor of Vietnam Veterans. The naming of this bridge will help ensure that the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and that of their families, is remembered for generations to come." 

“Today we celebrate a major step forward for the region. My predecessor, Senator Ken Donnelly, worked hard on developing this project and I'm so pleased to see it come to fruition. Replacing the New Boston Street Bridge strengthens local infrastructure, improves transportation access, and supports long-term economic growth. The completion of this project reflects years of collaboration between state agencies, local partners, and community advocates—all working together to deliver a safer, more connected future for residents and businesses,” said State Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington). 

The project replaced the bridge which carries New Boston Street Bridge over the MBTA Lowell Line Commuter Rail. The new bridge carries two vehicular travel lanes, with two shoulders and two sidewalks. The project also reconstructed approximately 1,800 feet of New Boston Street, including repaving, new sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, pavement markings, drainage upgrades, new signage, and other work to accommodate the roadway improvements. The total project cost was approximately $26.9 million.  

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