Inexperienced Line’s Union Sq. department received’t shut down this summer season as MassDOT postpones bridge repairs

Native Information

Information of the approaching 42-day closure beforehand drew concern and ire from those that dwell and work within the Somerville space.

Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is suspending a bridge restore challenge that might have closed the Inexperienced Line Extension’s Union Sq. department for greater than a month this summer season, a Healey spokesperson introduced Wednesday. 

The change of plans coincided with the primary day of the almost two-month Sumner Tunnel closure, which is anticipated to again up visitors all through the Boston space. State transportation officers have been urging commuters to “ditch the drive” and switch to public transit as an alternative.   

The Massachusetts Division of Transportation was set to start work on “essential” repairs to the Squires Bridge in Somerville later this month, necessitating the suspension of Inexperienced Line service between Lechemere and Union Sq. stations, the T introduced final week. 

Nevertheless, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has opted to postpone building till September, spokesperson Karissa Hand mentioned in an announcement Wednesday. 

“MassDOT crews inspected the bridge over the weekend and decided it’s secure to delay repairs till September in order that the closure doesn’t happen similtaneously the Sumner Tunnel closure and to permit applicable time to discover mitigation choices and talk with the general public,” Hand defined. 

She added: “The administration is grateful for the suggestions we acquired from native officers and group members and can preserve shut communication as we work to reschedule the [Squires] Bridge building.”

The MBTA and MassDOT echoed Hand’s assertion in a separate information launch, including that the 2 companies will announce extra data on the challenge “as plans are finalized and confirmed.”

Beforehand, information of the approaching 42-day closure drew concern and ire from those that dwell and work within the Somerville space, together with state Reps. Mike Connolly, Christine Barber, and Erika Uyterhoeven, who co-wrote a letter to MassDOT Secretary Gina Fiandaca, the MBTA board, and T Normal Supervisor Phillip Eng.

“Thanks to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for responding to our advocacy in help of transit fairness for Union Sq.,” Connolly wrote on Twitter Wednesday. “I’m hopeful this further time will give MassDOT and the MBTA a chance to enhance the plans for the Squires Bridge repairs.”