Mike Costello
State Representative
1st Essex Distrct
Hines Bridge Reconstruction to Be Expedited
BOSTON The 1st Lt. Derek Hines bridge will be closed for only 19 months during its reconstruction, State Representative Michael A. Costello announced today. Previously, the construction period was expected to last as long as 2 ½ years.
In response to community concerns about traffic and the impact to local businesses, the state Department of Transportation has pledged to expedite the work on the bridge, which connects Newburyport and Amesbury. Construction is expected to begin this fall.
The Department of Transportation will be implementing best practices for this project, which will minimize the impact on the communities of Amesbury, Newburyport and Salisbury, said Representative Costello. I want to thank Secretary Jeff Mullan and Supervisor Luisa Paeiwonsky for working with my office and working with local officials to ensure that the construction period will be as smooth as possible.
The $30.7 million project is being funded by both the federal Highway Department and the state. The federal funding will pay for 80 percent of the project cost.
The bridge was built in 1960 and had been scheduled for reconstruction when a barge hit it in November 2008. Temporary repairs were made at the time in preparation for the reconstruction.