Concord Gets Green Light to Seek Bids for New Sewalls Falls Bridge

The city of Concord has received authorization from the Federal Highway Administration and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to seek bids for the construction of a new Sewalls Falls Bridge, according to a press statement.

The bridge, which is more than a century old, was closed last year.

According to officials, the new bridge will offer ”two-lane travel, a bike shoulder and a sidewalk.”

The project is the culmination of years of planning and community input, according to City Manager Tom Aspell Jr.

“The bridge was identified by our community as critical to Concord’s quality of life by ensuring that our residents and visitors can safely and conveniently cross the Merrimack River and that our emergency responders can reach those in need within acceptable windows of time,” he said in a statement. “I thank our residents for their contribution to making this project a reality.”

This $10 million project is funded 80 percent by the federal government and 20 percent by the city. The state of New Hampshire is also involved in administering the funds and coordinating the plan review, according to officials.

Mayor Jim Bouley acknowledged the partnership stating, “The magnitude of this project makes it evident that it couldn’t be accomplished without partners. The city wishes to thank the Federal Highway Administration and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for their cooperation to move this project to construction. A special word of gratitude goes out to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, who was instrumental in shedding light on the vital need for this bridge.”

The bid for the bridge will close on June 19. Construction is anticipated to start in July with an anticipated completion in late fall 2016.

For more information, visit the project website at sewallsfallsbridge.com.