by State Representative Rodney Elliott
One of the first actions I took upon being sworn in as the State Representative for the 16th Middlesex District was to send a letter Secretary Fiandaca of John Moran of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) regarding the surface conditions of the Rourke Bridge. Like many of you, I cross the bridge daily and experience the deteriorating condition and loose surface panels and slick steel plates.
Over the course of the last several months, I have regularly contacted MA DOT for an update. On May 26, 2023, MassDOT responded to the letter signed by the Lowell Legislative Delegation:
“MassDOT completed an initial scope of repairs to the structural bracing for the bridge towers last fall. The remaining elements of the plan include replacing identified lateral supports on the underside of the bridge and replacing or refurbishing the bridge deck panels and the wearing surface that is attached to them. MassDOT procured a large quantity of new deck panels and lateral supports last year.”
In July, I again followed up with MassDOT- District 4 to determine when the project would commence. The following response to my inquiry was received on August 2, 2023:
“Mass DOT is currently soliciting pricing proposals from contractors to perform the work. MassDOT procured a large quantity of new deck panels last year while the form design progressed. To minimize traffic impacts, the work is expected to be completed at night. The plan will include provisions to maintain access across the bridge for emergency vehicles at night, while the work occurs. The work is to commence sometime in the fall.”
I will continue to work with MassDOT to monitor progress of these critical safety improvements until they are complete.
In the meantime, progress continues on the new Rourke Bridge design (25% complete), permitting has begun, and Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition has started. MassDOT expects to have a 25% design public hearing in the fall of 2023. Once permitting is finished, and ROW acquisition is complete, the design-build process will commence, and advertising is expected to begin in the summer/fall of 2024.
Please feel free to contact my office or email me at: Rodney.Elliott@MAHOUSE.GOV for additional information.
To find the letters, correspondence and additional information referenced, please visit my website at rodneyelliott.com under the Roads & Bridges tab or follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Rodney Elliott
State Representative
16th Middlesex District
