MONTAGUE — The “White Bridge” is anticipated to re-open to traffic during the first week of August, according to Massachusetts Department of Transportation. “The schedule has been updated due to an expanded scope of work,” said DOT Communications Officer Patrick Marvin.
Repairs on the bridge, which connects Greenfield to the village of Turners Falls, began in May.
Marvin said the repairs included the bridge deck, bridge joint, sidewalk and parapet repairs. The bridge deck concrete wearing surface was installed on Tuesday.
“Weather permitting, pavement markings are scheduled to be placed on Thursday,” Marvin said. “Concrete work for sidewalk bridge joint repairs is also scheduled for Thursday.”
Following the re-opening of the bridge, lane closures will be in place to allow crews to install new bridge joint seals and carry out additional sidewalk joint work, according to Marvin.
He added that all of the work is weather dependent and the total estimated cost is approximately $350,000.
Montague Town Administrator Steve Ellis said as he understands it, the bridge repairs are close to being finished.
Ellis said he’s heard of an increase in traffic on the Gill-Montague Bridge and near Avenue A in Turners Falls as well as other areas.
“There is no question, everyone in Town Hall, residents and visitors will benefit from the bridge reopening,” Ellis said. “People from out near Boston wouldn’t think of the increase in traffic as an issue, but any wait time is a phenomena here. When the bridge reopens, any bottlenecks will be alleviated.”