Porter Square Neighbors Association

The Walden Street bridge will open for traffic on Friday, December 19, approximately midday. Construction supervisors on site said that the first vehicle across will probably be a snowplow.

Here is a letter from City Engineer Owen O'Riordan giving some specifics about work remaining to be done:

Dear Walden Street Bridge Neighbor,

Please be informed that JF White Construction, working for Massachusetts Highway Department will reopen Walden Street Bridge on Friday December 19th 2008. While a significant amount of additional work remains to be completed, most particularly NSTAR Electric duct bank work on the south eastern side of the bridge, the contractor has at this time completed the bridge deck and the majority of the sidewalk and so is in a position to have the bridge open for traffic.

Be aware that at the location where NSTAR have yet to complete their work a temporary asphalt sidewalk has been placed and this will remain in place for the majority of the winter months until NSTAR are in a position to complete their work. Once they have completed their work JF White will remobilize on site so that the remaining sidewalk work can then be addressed, the temporary pedestrian bridge can be disassembled and the permanent fence can be erected over the parapet walls. As of the 19th of December 2008 the temporary pedestrian bridge will be closed.

Sincerely,
Owen O’ Riordan PE
City Engineer