The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to provide this update on the Route 79/Braga Bridge Improvements Project. New detours for through traffic on Route
79/138 and I-195 on-ramp closures and related detours are now in effect. Signage is in place to indicate detour routes. Local access is maintained at all times to the Fall River waterfront and area businesses and attractions for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Visit the website’s
Traffic Page for complete details of the detour routes and to view maps of the Route 79/138
Detour Routes and the I-195 East and Westbound On-Ramp Detours . The closures are necessary to demolish and reconstruct the last two remaining elevated bridges of the project (on-ramps to I-195 east and westbound).
Barletta Heavy/O&G JV, the design/build (D/B) joint venture for the project, has completed Stage 1 of construction work on the Braga Bridge’s low speed lanes and has entered Stage 2 for work on the high speed lanes. Travel lanes have been shifted to the right two lanes on I-195 east and westbound in order to accommodate this phase and will be in place through fall 2015. The contractor is continuing painting and structural repairs on the Braga Bridge.
The contractor is completing demolition of the last elevated structure – the I-195 east and westbound onramps over Pocasset Street and Exit 5. The I-195 median pier for the on-ramp will be demolished in
July. The new Davol Street Bridge will be open to one lane of travel in each direction in mid-July. The
Anawan Street Bridge is complete and the roadway will be open to through traffic from Water Street to
Sample of decorative fence for new waterfront district plaza is delivered.
Davol Street in mid-July. When Anawan Street is open, Water Street Connector will be modified for two-way travel. The new Water Street Connector has been completed and is now open.
The design of the landscaped waterfront district is continuing and the contractor is constructing the plaza area south of Anawan Street. When complete, the area will include plantings, salvaged stone benches, a decorative fence, and a main structure for displaying visitor information. The project team received the first sample of the decorative fence to be installed.
The structure has changed to an open steel design rather than enclosed stone. Further updates are outlined below.
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A public information meeting was held on May 27, 2015 at Heritage State Park. Visit the project website to view the meeting presentation and other project documents. Sign up here to receive email advisories and notices on future meetings.
 Demolished north and southbound Route 79/138 elevated viaduct.
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Constructed and opened the new Water Street Connector and Connector Road between
Milliken and Pocasset.
 Finished Braga Bridge Stage 1 work on I-195 east and westbound low speed lanes.
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Demolished all but two elevated bridges (on-ramps to I-195 east and westbound).
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Installed structural steel and cast in place deck for new Davol Street Bridge, which will connect Route 79/138 between Central Street and Anawan/Pocasset Streets.
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Constructed new Anawan Street Bridge which consisted of precast beams and a cast in place wearing surface.
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Installed new drain and sewer lines along the project corridor.
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Installed private utilities, including National Grid electric, Liberty gas, Comcast and Verizon
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Upgraded City of Fall River water lines for domestic and fire protection supply.
Construction of new Davol Street Bridge, which will connect
 Continue painting and structural steel repairs on the Braga Bridge.
 Stage 2 Braga Bridge work on high speed lanes on I-195 east and westbound; to be followed by Stage
3 work on middle-speed lanes.
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Complete Davol Street Bridge and open to two-way traffic.
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Design and installation of the new waterfront district, including plantings, salvaged stone seating,
Route 79/138 between Central and Anawan Streets. and a decorative fence.
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Continue with the construction of three new bridges over Pocasset, one over I-195 and one over Central Street at Davol Street.
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Continue with the construction of the new Milliken Connection and associated traffic signals.
 Additional on-going work includes, drainage, paving street lights, railing, fencing, curbing, sidewalks, and traffic signals.
Please visit the website to sign up for email alerts and updates, and to learn more about this important project. For more information or to report an issue or concern, please contact the project team by phone at (781) 774-0441 or by email to route79project@state.ma.us
.
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