Winter Street Bridge Repair To Begin Next Summer

Selectmen agreed with MassDOT that the Winter Street Bridge over the Sudbury River will be a repair project rather than a replacement.

A replacement span for the Winter Street Bridge over the Sudbury River is apparently delayed for at least a decade, which gives the town time to decide what style and size a new bridge ought to be. The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved an access permit that allows the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to move ahead with plans to repair the bridge. The town balked at plans by MassDOT that would have replaced the bridge with a modern structure. Residents and the board were not happy with the state’s design or plans to widen the highway, citing threats to the historic significance of the bridge and to the character of the residential neighborhood. MassDOT representative Larry Cash indicated the project would most likely go out …

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CONSTRUCTION & ROAD WARRIOR

Winter Street Bridge Construction To Start in 2013, End Fall of 2016

Massachusetts Department of Transportation said the bridge would be under construction from Sept. 2013 to Aug. 2016, and closed between June 2015 and Aug. 2016.

The proposed replacement of the Winter Street Bridge that spans the CSX and MBTA railroad tracks has been assigned a four-year construction window and may not be completed until late summer of 2016. In the final phase of the project, the bridge will be closed to vehicles for an estimated 14 months. Under the proposed timetable that would be from June 2015 to Aug. 2016. Those were the estimated time frames brought forth by representatives of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division at a design public hearing Thursday evening at the Memorial Building. While the MassDOT officials offered the four-year construction scenario they were quick to state that their goal is to get the job done quicker and they assured town …

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Selectmen, General Chemical Have Conversation Over Abandoned Buildings

And 5 other things you missed from Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting.

A series of inspections of the five abandoned buildings owned by General Chemical was conducted. At the last Selectmen's FACES, an local organization, appealed to the Board of Selectmen to do something about the safety risks posed by these buildings. Vegetation around the buildings have been cleaned up and one building in particular is being closely examined. “General Chemical is open to a conversation about taking the buildings down,” Town Manager Bob Halpin told Selectmen. 2. Selectmen approved a license for Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt to open in Trolley Square. 3. Danforth Museum of Art Board of Trustees are in the process of working with the Town Manager to negotiate a lease for the Maynard Building. The lease will be presented to Town …

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MassDOT Wants To Close Both Winter Street Bridges in Fall, at the Same Time

State is looking to close both the Fountain/Winter Street bridge and the Winter Street Bridge near the dam beginning this fall for 6-8 months; Framingham Selectmen told the state to slow down and delayed a vote to approve.

Framingham Selectmen unanimously voted to table approval of a Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plan to close both the Winter/Fountain street bridge and the Winter Street bridge near the dam at the same time this fall. The bridges would be closed for 6-8 months, minimum, creating a nightmare for motorists. Selectmen said they want to meet with MassDOT representatives to explain their bridge program in detail, before voting to approve the projects. As of yesterday, June 19 the MassDOT has no plans to conduct a meeting about the bridge over the dam but has a public hearing is scheduled for July 26 to talk about the railroad bridge at Winter and Fountain streets. Selectmen were surprised to hear Winter Street might be …

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Jim Rizoli

5:15 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Car count....12-14,000 per day. No big deal! When it gets to 50k per day then you can walk on top of the cars to get to where your going. Jim@ccfiile.com   more ›

Selectmen Ask State Legislators to Help with Tax Issues

A contentious issue with the Selectmen is the way the state mandates how Framingham calculates home values; other issues discussed with the legislators were the Winter Street Bridge project and the intersection of routes 126/135.

Framingham’s Selectmen gave the town’s legislative contingent their thoughts on the increasing tax burden on homeowners and asked that Framingham’s representatives in Boston do what they can to enhance Framingham’s image as the economic engine that drives MetroWest. In a wide-ranging give-and-take discussion with State Senator Karen Spilka and Representatives Tom Sannicandro and Chris Walsh, Selectmen thanked the delegation for all that they have done and will do for the town and urged them to continue to press the state in areas that concern Framingham. A contentious issue with the Selectmen is the way the state mandates how Framingham calculates home values. Currently, large apartment owners can use lower residential rates to determine …

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Selectmen Urge State to Rethink Winter Street Bridge Plans

Bridge's status switched from replace to repair. Selectmen and Library Trustees appoint Linda Broderick as newest trustee.

Framingham’s Board of Selectmen was not pleased by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s apparent arbitrary decision to change the status of the Winter Street Bridge from a replacement project to one of repair. Selectmen objected to MassDOT’s decision and voted to strongly request the state to come back to the board with a design and plan that addresses concerns the board had with a MassDOT plan brought forth last summer. “I’m shocked to hear this,” said Selectman Laurie Lee. “I go back to the last statement made that night and it says the state will come back with a redesign.” Lee was reading from minutes of the Selectmen’s June 6, 2011, meeting when MassDOT’s plans for the bridge were brought before the board. MassDOT in June …

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Town Rejects State's Winter Street Bridge Plan

MassDOT's proposal to replace the Winter Street Bridge was rejected by residents and town officials who would prefer a restoration of the exisitng historic span.

Framingham’s message to the state agency handling the Winter Street Bridge project came through loud and clear – slow down, you’re moving too fast with this historically significant bridge. Two and a half hours of discussion, conversation and history lessons by the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, the town’s history contingent, a state representative and neighbors of the bridge left no doubt that a bridge replacement plan MassDOT presented last night was totally unacceptable. “From an aesthetic point of view this plan does not even approximate what is there,” said State Rep. Chris Walsh, an architect. “A conversation is in order as to the tempo of the project.” Selectman Charlie Sisitsky asked if Walsh would facilitate such a …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 6

Selectmen are scheduled to meet tonight at 7 in the Memorial Building for a discussion with the Mass DOT on the Winter Street bridge construction.

1. It was graduation weekend in Framingham. Saturday Keefe Technical School held is ceremony for the Class of 2011.Yesterday, Framingham High helds its ceremony at Bowditch Field. Check out both slideshows. 2. Selectmen are scheduled to meet tonight at 7 in the Memorial Building for a discussion with the Mass DOT on the Winter Street bridge construction. The Framingham Planning Board is expected to attend the meeting also. 3. June is National Cataract Awareness Month. 4.  Team Tramiris will conclude its Stanley Cup game 4 raffle today. Tickets are $20 each. Play it Again Sports, at 271 Worcester Rd, has some tickets still available. The winning ticket will be pulled tonight at the Framingham Elks, between the first and second period of …

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4 Things to Know from Last Night's Selectmen's Meeting

Framingham has spent in excess of $3 million on snow and ice removal for this winter, thus far.

1. Framingham has spent in excess of $3 million on snow and ice removal for this winter, said Town Manager Julian Suso. With about six more weeks of winter left, Suso said town officials originally allocated $900,000 for this year's winter clean-ups. 2.. The town has not received new design plans for the Winter Street Bridge from the state's Department of Transportation, Suso said. The first draft of plans released by the state did not previously impress town officials, who hope to maintain the historic integrity of the bridge. Because the bridge is designated as a scenic roadway, said Suso, any landscaping, tree removal or stone work will have to be approved by the Planning Board, which may allow the town to ensure some of the historical …

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Susan Petroni

7:38 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011

We didn't report about it again - as there was no change from our last article back in January. Link: http://framingham.patch.com/articles/los-compadresthe-stadium-loses-alcohol-license-for-90-days   more ›

Selectmen to State: Take Winter Street Bridge Off The List

Construction update: Town Manager Julian Suso announced the completion of the Edgell Road sewer project - for now. Construction will resume in the spring.

Although glad to hear construction on Edgell Road has ended until the spring, Selectmen voiced concern at Tuesday night's meeting that one project is moving too quickly, putting the historic integrity of the Winter Street Bridge at risk. Town Manager Julian Suso announced the completion of the Edgell Road sewer project - for now. Construction near the Common will resume in the spring. Before wrapping up for the winter, crews were able to break through a ledge shelf, responsible for some delays. Travel lanes will be restored to normal positions, said Suso, providing "an early holiday gift to all residents and commuters." However, Selectmen still are not pleased with the construction and restoration plans slated for the Winter Street Bridge…

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