NORTHFIELD — A former timeline for the Schell Bridge rebuild came out of a meeting this week with project coordinators. Construction is expected to start early 2022, and will take two or three construction seasons.
Schell Bridge used to link the two sides of Northfield across the river but has been closed since 1985 due to its disrepair. The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plans to demolish the old bridge and replace it. The new one is envisioned as a recreational facility, rather than a road for cars as the old one had been.
On the design of the bridge, an aspect of historical preservation was introduced at the Monday night meeting, and warmly received by the crowd. State Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, and State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, attended the meeting.
Designers hope to salvage one of the entrance arches of the old bridge for display near the eastern landing of the new bridge, along with an explanatory plaque, said a representative from the design firm hired for the project by MassDOT.
However, it is not known yet whether the old bridge is structurally sound enough to remove and preserve any part of it.
Beyond that, the conversation Monday mostly solidified what Northfield’s Schell Bridge Advisory Committee has already known or reasonably expected about the project.
When MassDOT last met with Northfield residents in March 2018, it presented three design ideas for residents’ consideration. In a community poll, residents chose a design that features a high suspension arch and thin vertical support beams widely spaced.
MassDOT has since officially accepted the community’s chosen option, representatives at the Monday meeting said. Minor details may be tweaked to suit the architectural necessities, like the spacing of the support beams.
Design images more detailed than the currently available mockup renderings will be presented at MassDOT’s next community meeting, which will likely be held late 2019 or early 2020. MassDOT expects to advertise for the construction work in early 2021. Between now and then, the department will work with local groups, like the Historical Commission and the Recreation Commission, to learn about the community’s desires for the project.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ex 261.