Cradock Bridge Design Public Meeting Wednesday

The state Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on the Cradock Bridge reconstruction project at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Medford City Hall.

At the meeting, in the City Council Chambers, the state will go over the project in full and then give residents the opportunity to give input.

More on the proposed project from the state:

“The proposed project consists of rehabilitation of the existing double stone arch substructure, and reconstruction of the dam portion and the simple span section of the bridge. The portion of the bridge consisting of, and including the remnants of the abandoned dam structure will be demolished and re-built to match the adjoining existing double stone arch structure and facade. The simple span portion of the bridge will be demolished and replaced on the existing abutment and pier which will be rehabilitated. The surface of the bridge will be completely reconstructed with new roadway and sidewalks. Parapets and railings will be rehabilitated and replaced. New historic lighting fixtures will be added to the bridge. Some utilities will be relocated/replaced and some will be maintained as existing. The removal of the dam remnants will restore the full bridge hydraulic opening as a planned incremental improvement as part of the Aberjona River Flood Mitigation Program. Bicycle accommodations consisting of a usable shoulder have been provided in accordance with applicable design guides. The bridge will be reconstructed in phases, maintaining two (2) lanes of vehicular traffic southbound. A temporary bridge structure will be utilized on the downstream side of the bridge and carry two (2) lanes of vehicular traffic northbound.

A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this meeting.

Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the meeting begins, with an engineer in attendance to answer questions regarding this project. A project handout will be made available on the MassDOT website listed below.

Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public Meeting regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention.: Paul King, P.E., Bridge Project Management, Project File No. 604716. Such submissions will also be accepted at the meeting. Mailed statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the public meeting transcript must be postmarked within ten (10) business days of this Public Meeting. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting."