Mt. Vernon Street Bridge Getting Long Overdue Renovations

Long overdue renovations to the Mt. Vernon Street bridge will start on Aug. 4 in West Roxbury.

State Rep. Edward Coppinger, D-West Roxbury, worked with state Sen. Mike Rush, D-Norfolk/Suffolk, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT),  for renovations of the bridge located next to, and in front of the West Roxbury Library. In addition to bridge repairs, the renovation project includes fixing the sidewalks and resurfacing the deck area of the bridge. In total, the project is estimated to cost $2 million, according to a Coppinger press release. 

The project is expected to be finished by late January, if not sooner.

“Anyone who walks or drives by knows how this area looks – forgotten and in desperate need of repairs. I felt it was time we needed to take action," said Coppinger. "Of all the state-owned property in West Roxbury, this was the biggest eyesore and needed the most attention. Residents walking along Centre and Mt. Vernon streets, commuters using the train, and students at the Lyndon School will benefit from these improvements, which will help increase public safety.”

“It has been clear for a long time now that the renovation of the bridge on Mt. Vernon Street is vitally important to the citizens of West Roxbury,” said Rush.  “Representative Coppinger has been relentless in his pursuit of funding for this important project and I was pleased to assist in any way possible. I commend him for his time and efforts in continuing to make West Roxbury a safer community.”

The project is scheduled to take place in six phases with first two phases to be completed before the school year. The first two phases include installation of timber shielding to the entire underside of the structure, and a full depth replacement to the sidewalk on Mt. Vernon Street complete with wheelchair ramps. Later phases will include full-depth deck replacements to the westbound and eastbound lanes of Centre Street. The later phases include placement of concrete decks and the installation of new bridge rails and fences.

Photos courtesy Coppinger's office.