Route 93 Bridge Replacement Project in Pictures

An ambitious $98.1 million project to replace fourteen Route 93 bridges in Medford over a ten week period this summer is half over, with seven of the bridges completed, according to MassDOT. Now the transportation agency plans to replace the southbound bridges, starting this weekend with the Salem Street overpass.

According to Christine Mizioch of the MassDOT Design Build Program team, the fourteen bridges that are being replaced are around the same age and have similar problems, prompting the state to replace them all at once. Mizioch said what would normally take five years is being done in one weekend, with bridges being demolished on Friday night and new pre-made bridge decking in place by the Monday morning rush hour.

“This will become the new normal for us,” said Mizioch, referring to the use of innovative technology and much-shortened time frames for projects.

The bridge replacement project, impressive in its scope and timeline, has caused delays on Medford roads and every weekend Route 93 is down to just two lanes in each direction between Somerville and Stoneham to accommodate work crews. The final weekend of construction is August 12-15. For more information on the entire project see http://93fast14.dot.state.ma.us/.

The southbound side of the Route 93 bridge over Salem Street (Route 60) is being replaced Friday, July 15-Monday, July 18. Photo by Allison Goldsberry.

Construction crews move bridge decking into place on Route 93 over the Mystic River on June 25. Photo courtesy MassDOT.

Bridge demolition begins during the first weekend of the project. Photo courtesy MassDOT.

The bridge over Riverside Avenue was the first one to be replaced on June 4. Photo courtesy MassDOT.

It takes a small army of workers to complete the job in just over two days. Photo by Allison Goldsberry.

Construction crews move bridge decking into place on I-93 over Route 16 in Medford on June 18. Photo by Paul Rapatano.

– InsideMedford.com