Quincy Police Lieutenant Robert Gillan patrolling the waters near the Fore River Bridge last summer. The state will hold a hearing on replacing the bridge Feb. 9 in East Weymouth.
(Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/File 2011)
State plans Feb. 9 hearing on replacing Fore River Bridge
Quincy Police Lieutenant Robert Gillan patrolling the waters near the Fore River Bridge last summer. The state will hold a hearing on replacing the bridge Feb. 9 in East Weymouth.
(Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/File 2011)
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will host a public hearing on replacing the Fore River Bridge Feb. 9 in Weymouth.
At the hearing, to be held at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Abigail Adams Middle School at 89 Middle St. in East Weymouth, plans for the new bridge will be presented and an engineer will be on hand to answer questions.
Motorists who travel on Route 3A between Weymouth and Quincy have become familiar with the temporary vertical-lift bridge over the Fore River shipping channel, and the traffic tie-ups that result whenever the bridge moves to allow shipping vessels to pass underneath. Many local observers say the temporary span looks like an erector set, and have been waiting for a new permanent bridge.
Some have criticized the state’s plans to design a permanent vertical-lift bridge, and argue that the new permanent bridge should instead resemble the old Fore River Bridge that was torn down in 2004. Constructed in 1936, it had a low profile and operated like a drawbridge.
That’s the type of bridge Victor Pap, a Weymouth town councilor who represents District 1 in North Weymouth, would like to see. Pap said a tall, vertical-lift bridge isn’t the best choice, and could lower property values and drive away businesses.
“I think it’s important to have a bridge that is fitting for the historic nature of the channel and the area,’’ he said.
Pap said he hopes for a large turnout at the hearing.
“Our goal is to really communicate all of the negative impacts this [vertical-lift] bridge will have on the area for generations to come,’’ he said.
According to the Fore River Bridge project website, transportation officials chose the vertical-lift option because it will allow the shipping channel to be widened to provide more elbow room for the ships, tankers, and other vessels passing underneath. That style of bridge would also allow more recreational sailboats to pass without opening the bridge and tying up traffic.
The website says the new, permanent bridge will not look like the temporary bridge that’s there now, and that the Boston-based architectural firm Rosales + Partners, whose portfolio includes the Zakim Bridge, is working on an attractive design.
The $289 million project is expected to be completed by 2016, and could go out to bid as early as this summer. The new bridge is expected to last 75 years.
The Fore River Bridge carries approximately 32,000 vehicles each weekday.
The proposed project plans will be on display a half-hour before the hearing begins. Those who wish to comment may do so at the meeting.
Written comments can be submitted to Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, ATTN: Michael O’Dowd, Project File No. 604382. For more information and updates on the project, visit www.massdotprojectsforeriverbridge.info/.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney. 
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