Lowell  St. bridge to open soon
By George P. Hassett

   After 2,205 days of being closed, dozens of neighborhood meetings and countless traffic diversions, the Lowell Street bridge is finally on the verge of opening, according to state officials.
   ‚ÄúI understand the anxiousness to get the project done, but we‚Äôre almost there now,‚Äù said Massachusetts Highway Department spokesperson Jon Carlisle, who predicted the opening of the bridge within a month.

    During the time it was closed, the bridge became a symbol to many residents of the state‚Äôs inadequate response to pressing issues in the city. But now that it is projected to be re-opened within the next month, and maybe even sooner, all is seemingly forgiven.
    ‚ÄúThe past is the past and today I‚Äôm one happy camper,‚Äù said neighborhood activist Joseph Lynch. ‚ÄúI‚Äôm excited because I don‚Äôt have to go around the world to get to Highland Ave., I‚Äôll be able to save some gas.‚Äù
    Delays in the project were due to problems with the owners of the former MaxPak factory site, who would not allow the state access through their property and then-Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay‚Äôs decision to prioritize the repair of the Walnut St. Bridge ahead of Lowell St., said state Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville.
    Jehlen said she was frustrated with the bridge‚Äôs closure for a long time because she ‚Äúdidn‚Äôt understand what was delaying it.‚Äù
   ‚ÄúWe got their attention and made sure they stayed on track,‚Äù Jehlen said. ‚ÄúEverything since last April has run smoothly, people in the neighborhood feel their concerns are being addressed and understand the repair is happening.‚Äù
    Lynch said he expects traffic to increase between Highland Avenue and Medford Street because of the opening, creating a logjam outside Magoun Square that could hurt the small business district.
   ‚ÄúTraffic has increased over the last six years and at the corner of Lowell and Medford St. it could be a real nightmare. Anybody who lives directly on Lowell St. is going to have to adjust,‚Äù Lynch said.
    Despite increased traffic concerns, everybody involved in the saga of the Lowell St. Bridge is happy it is finally coming to a close.
    ‚ÄúIt‚Äôs a big relief, I‚Äôll be able to cross it off my things to do list,‚Äù Jehlen said.