Now Open: The Needham-Newton Bridge

By Alex Newman (Patch Staff)

NEEDHAM, MA – Earlier this week, it was reported that Cook's Bridge connecting Newton and Needham would reopen sometime in mid-December.

Now, it's official – the bridge will be open to vehicular traffic and the south sidewalk reopened to pedestrians on Sunday, Dec. 11. The north sidewalk will take longer to complete.

However, given the work that still needs to be done, there will be some lane closures next week from Dec. 12-16. The bridge will be open to two lanes of traffic until 9:30 a.m., at which point workers will close one lane and maintain one lane of traffic - staggered in each direction with assistance from police details - until 3:30 p.m.

The Newton Needham Regional Chamber is also waiting to hear back from the MBTA regarding the resumption of the Number 59 bus.

"This weekend's opening marks the end of a five challenging months for businesses, residents and commuters on both sides of the bridge," the chamber wrote in a statement.

To celebrate the reopening, the chamber will hold a parade on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon. Details are below:

Image submitted by the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce