The project that wouldn't go away

(Photo by Lisa Keen for Globe West Updates)
Traffic over the Route 16 bridge in Wellesley will soon shift over to the two westbound lanes as a new contractor prepares to finish work on the project.

WELLESLEY

The bridge project that is all too familiar to Wellesley drivers is finally under way again.

Construction work to shore up the Route 16 bridge began in August 2003 and was supposed to be finished the following year. Initially, delays were blamed on difficulties with relocating various utility lines but late last year the state highway department declared the contractor on the job to be in default.

State Representative Alice Peisch says a new contractor has been hired and is preparing to finish the work. Traffic is expected to be shifted soon to the two westbound lanes of the bridge.

--Lisa Keen