Press Release  Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project Receives American Infrastructure Magazine’s Bridge of the Year Award

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is pleased to announce that the $318 million Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project has received the American Infrastructure Magazine’s Bridge of the Year Project Award.

This major construction project consisted of replacing the existing Whittier Bridge as well as widening and improving a 4-mile section of I-95 in Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury, and replacing four adjacent bridges. The project also constructed the William Lloyd Garrison Trail, the first shared-use (pedestrian and bicycle) pathway within an interstate highway layout in the Commonwealth.

“We appreciate American Infrastructure Magazine recognizing the importance of this construction project and honoring it with their Bridge of the Year Award,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “This new bridge and shared-use pathway provides many new multimodal accommodations and highlights our commitment to making roadways work for everyone, whether they are walking, biking, driving, or using other forms of active travel.”

The previous bridge at this location was built in 1951. The bridge carries vehicles on I-95 north and southbound between Newburyport and Amesbury over the Merrimack River. The structure is a critical transportation link for people and commerce throughout the region.

“This bridge serves as an important connection between local communities and allows residents, commuters, visitors, and commercial traffic to travel to destinations throughout the area,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We appreciate this recognition of the hard work by the MassDOT project team and all those involved in carrying out this complex project.”

The new bridge cross section includes four travel lanes and a breakdown lane in each direction. Through this project, four adjacent bridges have been replaced or reconstructed along a 4-mile segment to accommodate a widened I-95 from Exit 57 in Newburyport to Exit 60 in Salisbury.

The Baker-Polito Administration is continuing to invest in transportation infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth. Over the next 5 years, MassDOT expects to spend over $7.3 billion on roadway and bridge construction projects. This includes support for the Municipal Small Bridge and Complete Streets Funding Programs, two local funding programs created by the Baker-Polito Administration.

American Infrastructure magazine is a national public works and municipal trade magazine, with a focus on infrastructure case study projects. Readers include elected and appointed city, county, and state officials; their staff; and the companies they work with. For more information, please visit https://americaninfrastructuremag.com. 

###