Waltham's Mary T. Early Footbridge Closed For Repairs

WALTHAM, MA — If you walk or bike across the Mary Early Footbridge, be warned: It will be closed for the next two or three weeks for repairs.

The city said repairs were set to begin this week, and asked that travelers pay attention to the "Bridge Closed" signs.

In the fall, the city put out a request for bids to replace the decking, rail caps and broken handrails on the bridge that dates back to the 1800s.

ACK Marin & General Construction out of Quincy offered to do the job for the least amount of money and as a result became the winning bid on the $78,500 project. The city approved using CPA funds in April.

The bridge connects the River Street and Willow Street neighborhoods to the Calvary Street neighborhood for walkers, joggers, bikers without having to drive around the block. It also leads to the Riverwalk connecting Waltham to Watertown and Newton. In 2019, the city council wrote a resolution that the footbridge built in 1898 be repaired and renamed in 2004.

The bridge was named after a lifelong resident who was known for her involvement in the city, and for regularly attending city council meetings. Early died in 2017.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.