Braga Bridge (Boston, Fall River, Fitchburg: construction, rail, commuter)

[mr2448]

The Braga Bridge, I-195, connecting Fall River to Somerset, Ma in Southeast Massachusetts is finally opened with all lanes available. This is the first time and it was built in 1966. Who says the State of Massachusetts doesn't care about Southeast Massachusetts?

[massnative71]

Well considering it's the world's "longest bridge", I would say it's a great human accompishment...

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Well considering it's the world's "longest bridge", I would say it's a great human accompishment...

Growing up as a kid in the region, I knew people who worked on the bridge as it was being built. That joke is at least 50 years old and I think it's still pretty funny.

I've read that there is more work that's scheduled through mid-2017. I somehow doubt that we've seen the end of I-195 lane closures as they're finishing up next spring and summer.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Growing up as a kid in the region, I knew people who worked on the bridge as it was being built. That joke is at least 50 years old and I think it's still pretty funny.

I've read that there is more work that's scheduled through mid-2017. I somehow doubt that we've seen the end of I-195 lane closures as they're finishing up next spring and summer.

had this been a bridge serving the main Boston Metro area it would have been taken care of quickly, well, at least in less time than it has. But, Southeast Massachusetts, which is part of the Providence metro area, does not receive the same attention as most of Massachusetts receives. No commuter rail and yet it reaches to Fitchburg, soon to Wachusetts, and had been expanded to Newburyport and the South Shore. I-895 was never built which would have served the area well. But there have been some real successes in the SE Region which might spur on the correction of the transportation deficiencies.

[lrfox]

I'm pretty sure all 6 lanes have been open plenty since construction of the bridge was completed. Construction has been a lingering headache on that span, but I'm just about positive they've all been open before and the same joke has been made.