Green Line extension construction means bridge closures in Somerville

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority plans to close three bridges in Somerville for construction of tracks and rights of way for the Green Line extension through that city and into Medford—a project that the agency says “is on schedule.”

According to a release from the MBTA, the Broadway Bridge in Ball Square will close beginning March 22 and remain so through March 2020. It will be completely demolished and replaced as part of the work.

The Washington Street Bridge Underpass in East Somerville will be closed from April to the fall of 2019, and from the spring to the fall of 2020. Finally, the Medford Street Bridge in Gilman Square will be closed from July 2019 through spring 2020.

“This is a major step forward to bring Green Line service to the communities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford,” MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in the release. “While we acknowledge this work will cause disruptions at times, we have an obligation to our customers, the communities we serve, and taxpayers to deliver this important investment, and to do so on time and on budget.”

The closures will, of course, come with detours for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The MBTA already has the detours for the Broadway Bridge work starting March 22. North/west traffic will be detoured via a left turn on Cedar Street, a right turn on Highland Avenue, a right turn on College Avenue, and the fifth exit from the traffic circle on to Broadway.

South/east traffic will be detoured via the third exit from the traffic circle at Powder House Square on to Warner Street, continuing straight on to Harvard Street, a right turn on to Main Street, continuing on to Medford Street, and a left on to Broadway.

Rendering via MBTA

More on the bridge closures through here.