Belmont Street Bridge Finished (Almost), And Open

WORCESTER, MA — It's ready to go, and it's permanent. The Belmont Street Bridge is now open, for good.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that the bridge, which carries Route 9 over Interstate 290 in Worcester, is now open to its permanent configuration. The bridge now features two eastbound lanes toward Shrewsbury, two westbound lanes toward Lincoln Square and a newly-added, left-turn lane through which drivers can directly access I-290 Westbound, according to the announcement.

This construction project has included the full replacement of the bridge’s steel superstructure along with the bridge’s center pier that is located between the I-290 eastbound and westbound lanes to ensure the structure can continue to safely and efficiently carry traffic. The reconstructed bridge features the same number of through-lanes and a 4-foot bicycle accommodating shoulder on either side of the structure, and the new left-turn lane, will improve traffic flow, increase safety, reduce congestion, and facilitate effective transportation.

This project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2017 with future work including pedestrian safety improvements such as new sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, new curbs and modernized pedestrian crossing signals. Additionally, crews will install granite curb islands as well as complete paving operations.

Information and photos via MassDOT