Fore River Bridge Work Starts Friday

WEYMOUTH, MA — Drivers going over the Fore River Bridge this summer should expect more delays as crews from the state's department of transportation prepare to replace the temporary bridge.

Work on the bridge that connects Quincy to Weymouth will start Friday night From June 2-Sept. 1, there will be one lane of traffic in each direction. Drivers are urged to take advantage of the Hingham ferry, the commuter rail, and bus services in the area.

From Sept. 1-Oct. 1, there will be three lanes of traffic, with the middle lane operating as a zipper lane. In the morning, there will be two lanes heading to Boston, with the middle lane shifting to southbound traffic for the evening commute.

“We encourage travelers throughout this region to consider the many alternative travel options they have available to them including MBTA Commuter Rail, ferry service, or bus service in order to reach their destinations in a timely and efficient manner,” Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a release. “We are continuing to work closely with our partners throughout government and members of the local community and will be monitoring traffic and logistics as we conduct these necessary construction operations so that two lanes in each direction will be flowing over the bridge by October 1."

Drivers who have to use the bridge are encouraged to use sites and mobile apps like Google Maps and Waze to check their commute time. The most likely alternative route to Boston will be North Street to Commercial Street to Quincy Avenue to Southern Artery.

Construction will take place 20 hours a day, six days a week

MassDOT officials say the new bridge will have less problems and is quicker to raise than the current one.

Image: File Photo