Snapshot of the soon-to-be-demolished bridge from the I-93 highway | Image courtesy of GoogleStarting this weekend, a bridge on Dorchester Avenue connecting motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians between Dorchester and South Boston will undergo demolition, as announced by the MBTA. This bridge, which has been closed since 2022 due to repair work on a Red Line tunnel roof and a nearby retaining wall on Von Hillern Street, will undergo demolition activities over the next three weekends: March 23-24, March 30-31, and April 6-7.
The project aims to replace the aging bridge, originally constructed in 1925 and last rehabilitated in 1975, with a new structure, the agency said. The replacement is scheduled to begin in spring 2024, with an estimated cost of $34.5 million, marking the most extensive repair effort on the bridge to date.
Construction began in the summer of 2022 to prepare for the full bridge replacement by summer 2024. However, due to “construction scheduling conflicts and necessary utility work,” the closure has been extended through the fall of 2024.
Located between Von Hillern and Kemp Streets, the steel bridge facilitates the passage of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists over the Red Line, the Commuter Rail Old Colony Lines, and the Cabot Yard maintenance tracks.
During construction, there will be service impacts on Red Line and Commuter Rail services on the noted weekends.
“Neighbors can expect increased construction noise from heavy equipment and machinery,” stated the MBTA.
Review the detour routes for motorists and pedestrians provided by the MBTA below:
