Replacement Of Unsafe Milford Bridge May Start This Summer

MILFORD, MA — A more than 120-year-old bridge near downtown Milford will likely be replaced this summer, just in time to avoid a shut-down of the span for safety reasons.

Town Meeting on Jan. 6 voted 119-1 to allocated $1.5 million for the $2 million replacement of the Central Street bridge over the Charles River. MassDOT has awarded the project a $500,000 grant.

The bridge is in such bad shape, MassDOT is inspecting it every three months. A replacement is needed fast in case one of those inspections shows that the bridge is too dangerous to remain open. The bridge was built in 1900, and then rebuilt in the 1940.

Recent inspections have shown that steel beams holding the bridge are completely rusted away in some parts. There are also "large voids" in the masonry supporting the bridge structure, according to a 2019 report by the Green International Affiliates civil engineering firm.

In an October memo, Highway Surveyor Scott Crisafulli said the construction could begin as soon as mid-summer. The Green International report indicated traffic would alternate over a single one-way lane during construction.