Once it was decided that opening the bridge to one way traffic as Rep. Miceli proposed was not realistic, I suggested that to speed construction, that DOT might remove the decking while simultaneously constructing the "box frame." Sec. Davey appeared to adopt this suggestion. This can be done; however, there remain some challenges which were noted but not decided. There are two telephones, one at either end of the bridge, which must be re-routed. The intersection on the Brown St. side is so close to the entrance to the bridge that there appears to be insufficient room to raise the height of the bridge ends so that both feeds onto the street will not be underwater when the river floods. This is not as simple a fix as many envision, and it will be a challenge to fix the bridge and to keep its ends dry so as not to impbede traffic when seasonal flooding occurs.

Leave it closed. People speed down Brown and Whipple. This makes it dangerous to live and walk on Brown and Whipple. Lowers your property value. No sidewalks.If they can't keep route 38 flowing they need to redesign route 38.

It will be nice ro have it open again. I'm sure that people who haven't crossed over in a while will enjoy the wonderful scenery such as the abandoned house with swastickas and "Kill Cops" etc all over it. Whats the deal with that place?

WHAT YEAR ?????

Thank you---we need that alternate route. The traffic signal at Oakdale does NOT flow well - I don't know why, but it doesn't so when you're trying to go from south to north Tewksbury, it's nice to go the "back way". Can't wait till it's open!

Thanks Mr Miceli....

Glad to hear there is progress.. but is this planned project going to be the permanent repairs or the temporary solution? This article isn't totally clear on that. I'm hoping they do the permanent solution.. do it once, do it right. Opening it for awhile only to close it again in the future will only cause more headaches down the road. And cost more money.

I am extremely happy that progress has been made on the repairing of this bridge. It has been out for more time than it should have been. Mike T, sorry that you feel that this bridge shouldn't be fixed. This bridge has been there many years and most of the homes were built knowing that it was there before they chose to buy a house near it. Speeding is something that happens on everyone's street in Tewksbury. That is a up to the police to enforce. The traffic on Main Street has been horrendous since the bridge has failed so it will much better when it is fixed.

Glad to hear there is progress, but I'll believe it when I see it. This is a crucial traffic solution that must be repaired. It appears our federal and local governments have failed on addressing this project, and glad to hear our state is stepping up with funding. Please keep us updated.

I find it reprehensible that government officials are visiting this site and not taking action on the graffiti (swasitikas, etc). I'd love to see who else has visited this site in the last 6 months and have walked away allowing this offensive material to be left on government property. I don't care what town/state agency you are from, this should have been dealt with months ago.

There are swastikas spray painted on the bridge/pavement.

I think that the town of Tewksbury should spend their resources, regardless of how nominal the amount, on getting the south firehouse open regularly! This bridge is not our problem, not in our town. Get our priorities straight please selectman Sears!

Rick: The voters at town meeting, upon reconsideration, agreed to take $302,000 of your tax money to put into the fire fighter's overtime. I am sure you were there for the vote? As you know, fire fighters in Tewksbury under contract work from 90 to 95 days a year for their salary. They more days but these days are paid from the "overtime account" town meeting chose to place $302,000 from elsewhere in the budget. 65 votes your priority. 62 voted mine. My priority is for Town Manager to come to TM with a budget pre-approved by BOS, FinCom and Dept. Heads -- which we did. Tewksbury FD is bargaining a new contract. If former town labor counsel, Town Treasurer and 2 former BOS chairs want to influence the process by getting fire fighters am average $7K raise this year on TM floor, so be it. 65 voters prevailed on this issue. (Jake and Elwood got the band together to proved to themselves they could still rock the hall!) This said, we can always open the SS Fire full-time in TMgr's budget, we just couldn't "man" it full-time because of the above-mentioned reliance on over-time. The next day by 10 to 1 voters affirmed that this is how Tewksbury's bugdet should be approved. The proponents of the revote also were leading proponents of the charter change. They sure had a curious way of trying to demonstrate why they believe TM may no longer work!
PS. TW and BL will go halfs on repair of bridge from $C90 even if WM bails.

I want to know what the deal is with the crack shack at the bridge! What if there are dead bodies in that place? What town has jurisdiction on that property?

ST:
The Board of Selectmen of Tewksbury and Town Manager have taken care of the problem of the "crack house."

Conservation had funds to purchase it. The purchase and sale has gone through between the Town and the owner. Once the environmental report is received, it will be torn down and leveled. The area will be "green space" for public use by the side of the river. Please let neighbors know that we as a Board are interested to know what they would like to see on the spot? A picnic table? etc. You can also call my cellular phone at 978 376 7390 with your suggestions.

Note, as to the bridge, jersey barriers are being removed. The work has proceeded at a schedule more rapidly than anticipated, and it should be open any day now. Thanks for your request for an update.

Dear Town Officials,

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation would like to extend an invitation to the Whipple Road Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Highway Administrator Frank DePaola will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the completed rehabilitation for the bridge that was damaged by flood waters in 2010, and is now opening more than a month ahead of schedule. We are proud to showcase the results of cooperation and collaboration between the Commonwealth and state and local elected officials.

We hope that you are able to join us on Friday, September 21 at 11 am and are able to share in celebrating this accomplishment for the communities of Tewksbury, Billerica and Wilmington.

Stacey Rainey DOT