Charlie Breitrose
The new Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge over the Charles River in Watertown will be installed on these footings at the end of May.
The long awaited installation of the Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge will happen at the end of May, and will require the closure of a section of the path along the Charles River in Watertown, as well as a parking lot near the Dealtry Pool.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation sent out the following information about the closure of the path:
DCR Pedestrian and Traffic Advisory: Charles River Greenway/Dealtry Pool in Watertown
WHAT: On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, and Thursday, May 31, 2018, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a closure of the Charles River Greenway along Pleasant Street between Bridge Street and Galen Street in the Town of Watertown, and the parking lot at the Dealtry Memorial Pool. The closure will accommodate the delivery and placement of the new Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge. Work will be conducted from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to utilize California Street, and traffic delays are anticipated. A detour route and traffic signage will be clearly marked, a police detail will be on site, and DCR Rangers will assist pedestrians and bicyclists.
WHERE: Charles River Greenway along Pleasant Street between Bridge Street and Galen Street in the Town of Watertown, and the parking lot at the Dealtry Memorial Pool
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30, 2018, and Thursday, May 31, 2018 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
So what two years late on a three month project and who knows how much over budget. We will see how long it takes to actually finish the project 100% rather than just get the bridge in place or opened.
There needs to be some firings and jail time for this fiasco.
It would be helpful to know the details of what went wrong with this project so it is known where to place the blame. Was it low bid? A design mistake? How much over bid did the project go? AND, who absorbed the cost overruns? Has this happened with other DCR projects? Perhaps it is time for an audit and a whole lot of transparency.
Those are good questions, Donna. All I have heard is that there was a problem with the original manufacturer, so the state had to change manufacturers. There is some more detail here. http://www.watertownmanews.com/2017/12/11/installation-of-new-pedestrian-bridge-over-charles-river-delayed/