MassDOT: Cold Weather May Delay Opening of Wickford Street Bridge

The Wickford Street Bridge is in jeopardy of being out of service through the winter, said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin.

MassDOT told the Town of Framingham it is no "extremely unlikely that they will be able to reopen the Wickford Street Bridge" before spring of 2014, said Halpin, who gave Framingham Selectmen an update on the Saxonville project Tuesday night. 

The reason for the delay is "due to the fact that the asphalt plants that they rely on will likely close before the bridge would be ready for pavement," said Halpin.

Halpin said he consulted with Framingham's DPW director and that there are few options once cold weather forces asphalt plants to close.

"Our best hope is that warm weather," said Halpin. Warm weather through late November and December might allow the bridge to open before the end of 2013.

While it was very cold with snow squalls Tuesday, weather forecasters are predicting temperatures in the 50s and 60s later this week.

If weather become cold again, the bridge would remain closed until spring 2014, said Halpin.

Back in September, MassDOT told the Town of Framingham it was on pace to open the Wickford Bridge by the end of 2013.

Framingham Selectmen Chair Dennis Giombetti said MassDOT is expected to give the Town of Framingham another update on the project on Monday, Nov. 18.

The bridge has been on a delayed schedule.

"There was a two-month delay while the bridge beams were made. The current schedule projects that the bridge deck work will be done by winter and we are hopeful that will be the case," said MassDOT Press Secretary Sara Lavoie in September..  

"We have to be realistic because the remaining work is temperature sensitive —concrete pours, waterproofing and paving," said Lavoie in September.  "If winter comes strong in November and December we may be looking at the bridge opening next year."