Press Release  MassDOT Moves Forward with Mystic River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors today approved a $78.7 million design-build contract to construct the Mystic River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, moving the project one step closer to creating a new, safe and accessible connection between Everett and Somerville. 

The new bridge will cross the Mystic River between Draw Seven Park in Somerville and the Gateway Park trail and public boardwalk in Everett, closing a critical gap in the region’s walking and biking network. It will connect residents to trails, neighborhoods, businesses, public transportation and recreational opportunities on both sides of the river. 

The project will also strengthen connections to the Northern Strand Trail, Mystic River Greenway, Malden River Greenway, Assembly Row and Everett’s Lower Broadway District, giving people more options to get around without a car. 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making historic investments in transportation to give people more choices in how they get around and improve quality of life. This project continues to deliver on that commitment connecting people to jobs, neighborhoods, recreation, transit and opportunity. Executing this contract brings us another step closer to delivering a safer, multimodal transportation network connecting residents and communities of Everett, Somerville and the entire region,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng.   

“This bridge will close a major missing link in the regional bicycle and pedestrian network and create a direct connection across the Mystic River where none exists today,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “Selecting a contractor to bring the project through final design and construction is an important milestone for a project that has required close coordination among stakeholders. When complete, this new bridge will provide a safe, accessible connection that ties together transit, neighborhoods, and businesses with an expanding network of shared-use paths on both sides of the river.”  

The project is being delivered through a design-build contract, which allows design and construction work to advance together. MassDOT is delivering the project in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which will own and maintain the bridge once construction is complete. 

The new bridge will provide a dedicated, accessible crossing for people walking, rolling and biking. In addition to the bridge itself, the project includes connections to existing shared-use paths, new lighting and wayfinding, landscaped approaches and improvements along the riverfront. 

The project has advanced with extensive public input, including public informational meetings and a design public hearing. MassDOT and DCR have worked with the communities of Everett and Somerville throughout the design, permitting and procurement process to incorporate feedback and strengthen connections to the surrounding trail network and destinations. 

The Mystic River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s continued investments to make transportation safer, more reliable and more accessible across Massachusetts. Since taking office, the Administration has made historic investments in roads and bridges, public transit, walking and biking infrastructure and local transportation projects that better connect communities and give residents more choices in how they get around. 

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