Several bridges in Hampshire County, southern Franklin County and Holyoke will be rebuilt in the coming years as part of a $1.74 billion investment of federal funds in 146 projects announced by Gov. Charlie Baker last week.
Baker’s announcement came as the state embarks on a $3 billion bridge replacement program over the next five years, which will use money from the federal infrastructure law President Biden signed last November and $1.25 billion from a next-generation bridge program in last year’s transportation bonding bill.
In Williamsburg, $8.41 million is being set aside toward the replacement of both the Bridge Street and South Main Street bridges over the Mill River, along with reconstruction of the section of South Main between them.
“We’re excited for the investment and a more enhanced pedestrian access,” said Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo.
Under the current timeline, the Bridge Street bridge is to be replaced this summer, with the South Main Street bridge work to commence next year. Caccamo said officials are preparing for some impacts while work is underway, including at the nearby Dunkin’ Donuts, though much of the focus has been on engaging with property owners on easements necessary for the expanded sidewalk.
The Williamsburg projects are among just over $23 million in bridge infrastructure projects getting funding across the county.
In Hadley, $5.48 million is going toward the replacement of the Bay Road/Route 47 bridge over the Fort River. Town officials, though, have asked the state to hold off on that until the Route 9 widening project is complete, and the state earlier pledged not to advertise the bridge replacement until at least 2024.
Commuters experienced some delays at the bridge when it was one way for about 18 months in 2016 and 2017. With the bridge closed, much of that traffic will be funneled to the Route 9 corridor.
Town Administrator Carolyn Brennan said the state has not yet apprised Hadley of the start date for either the Bay Road bridge, or the Route 9 widening. “I hope to have a timeline for both projects within the next two weeks,” Brennan said.
Other bridge work in Hampshire County announced by Baker includes:
■In Northampton, $3.13 million for the replacement of the Old Springfield Road bridge over the Mill River, in the area of the Oxbow.
■In Huntington, $4.39 million to repair the Worthington Road bridge over Water Pond Brook.
■In Westhampton, $1.59 million to rebuild the Perry Hill Road bridge over the North Brook of the Manhan River.
Meanwhile in Leverett, in southern Franklin County, the state is appropriating $2.71 million to replace a bridge that serves two properties on Millers Road, a dead-end street off Shutesbury Road.
According to the plans, the existing steel-and-wood bridge over Roaring Brook will be replaced with a steel-and-concrete bridge. Before the current bridge is demolished, the state will construct a temporary gravel driveway of several hundred feet connecting the properties to January Road, another dead-end street in the opposite direction from the brook.
The state also announced an investment in Deerfield’s Stillwater Bridge on Upper Road, which is Franklin County’s most expensive project on the list at more than $19.8 million. Deerfield Select Board member Trevor McDaniel said the state’s involvement is “vital” to keeping the bridge open. The structure crosses the Deerfield River and connects the western side of town to Old Deerfield.
“It’s huge, it’s a massive expense. It’s our bridge and they’re paying for it,” McDaniel said. “It’s just incredibly helpful; we just couldn’t take something on like that.”
McDaniel said the town has been working with MassDOT on the project for a while and he’s glad they’re one step closer to addressing the bridge’s replacement.
“We’ve been waiting a long time,” he said. “20 million bucks — it’s a huge project and we just can’t do it on our own.”
