Boden Lane Pedestrian Bridge Is Up — But Opening Is Weeks Away

NATICK, MA — The skeleton of a future (temporary) Boden Lane pedestrian bridge was installed on Jan. 9. But commuters will still have to wait a few weeks to use it, according to an update from MassDOT.

The Boden Lane bridge has been out of commission since Halloween when a crew clearing brush near the MBTA tracks damaged the structure. It's been replaced by a MWRTA shuttle that ferries commuters from one side of the tracks to the other via Mill Street, Burning Tree Road, and Central Street.

Now that structure of the pedestrian bridge is in place, MassDOT has to complete the bridge deck, install utilities, and add fencing. The anticipated opening date is mid-February, a MassDOT spokesperson said on Monday.

A permanent replacement for the bridge is probably a long way off. Once the pedestrian bridge is in place, MassDOT will begin discussions on designs for a new bridge. That work will likely begin this year.

The MWRTA shuttle schedule can be found on the transit agency's website.