Although timelines are subject to change, current plans for construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX) call for the full closure of the Broadway Bridge, just east of Ball Square, for one full year beginning in January 2019. While the bridge is closed, detours will be in place for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 80 and 89.

 Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, City of Somerville staff, and representatives from the GLX team for a community meeting on Monday, September 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss the upcoming bridge closure and detour routes. The meeting will be held at St. Clement Parish Hall, 71 Warner St., Medford, MA. (The Parish Hall is located directly to the right of the church, which is just over the Somerville line and a 4-minute walk from Ball Square.) This is the second in a series of community meetings. A meeting was previously held on August 29. While there may be some minor updates to present at the September 24 meeting, the same general information will be shared.

Additional temporary bridge closures for varying periods are also planned for later construction phases in 2019 and 2020, including on Washington St. (between Union Square and Inner Belt), Medford St. (outside of Union Square), and School St. The meeting will touch upon these, but the Broadway Bridge closure will be the longest, most complex, and likely most impactful of all the bridge closures planned. This meeting will therefore focus primarily on upcoming construction and mitigation efforts in the Ball Square neighborhood this fall and through 2019.

For more information, including the latest proposed detours, please visit www.somervillema.gov/glx or the NEW project website, www.mass.gov/green-line-extension-project-glx.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 orNSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

 

4 Responses to “GLX Community Meeting to Discuss Upcoming Bridge Closures, September 24”

  1. ritepride says:

    When the present (Ball Sq) Broadway bridge was replaced in the 70s’ the first work done was to build a 2 lane temporary bridge adjacent to the old existing bridge. Thus no bridge closure. Then the old metal beam structure was removed and the new beam/concrete bridge built.

    An endangered bridge in Concord, MA. they brought the National guard and in one weekend a temporary bridge was built and then a new one built. Thus no closure, traffic continued.

    An GLX chart posting dates of GLX bridge construction closures, Cedar, Lowell, St. and College Ave (Tufts) remain open, no closures.
    Yet Broadway/Ball Square bridge closed?

    Instead of taking the old Bowling and Auto repair sites, (very shoddy planning), they should remove the Dialysis Bldg. (Old Knox Dodge dealership and old gas station sites) and build the temporary bridge.
    No endangering of lives by delayed Fire, Police, Ambulance responses because of the planned closure of the (Ball Sq.) Broadway bridge. Cut the political games. BUILD a Temporary Broadway Ball Square bridge. It was done in the past it can be done NOW!

  2. JPHM says:

    If you believe that this closure is just going to be for one year, I have a bridge to sell you.

  3. TheoNa says:

    I wonder what the over and under date is for an unfortunate serious accident on Cedar Street that is due to the road obstacles that have been installed. Our aldermen believe that fashionable political correctness is more important than the safety of us citizens.

  4. Sam says:

    The Comm Ave Bridge took less than a few weeks. What gives?