MONTAGUE – The longer commutes caused by construction on the Fifth Street will continue through the end of February, according the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
“Work is expected to be completed by the end of the month,” according to Patrick Marvin, a MassDOT communication official. “Please note that winter weather and low temperatures have impacted the schedule of operations.”
The work includes replacing a section of the deck on the north end of the bridge, and the repair of bridge rail on the southeast corner of the bridge. Work on the bridge began in early January.
It should be noted that the “White Bridge,” via Turners Falls Road over the Connecticut River, will remain open up to the Fifth Street Bridge for local access only.
Town Administrator Steve Ellis said although the repairs were originally anticipated to occur in October 2018, the project was delayed. He said he received questions about how emergency services would have access to the northern side of the canal.
“(Emergency services) would most likely go over the 11th Street or the Bailey bridge, then go right by the old housing authority and move the barricade that’s there in order to access the northern side of the canal in those instances,” Ellis said.
Ellis said that like when repairs were made to the “White Bridge,” while the Fifth Street bridge is closed, all traffic will be detoured to Route 2A and Route 2 in Greenfield, Avenue A in Turners Falls and the bridge that carries Avenue A over the Connecticut River.