West Newbury yesterday received a $1 million MassWorks grant to reconstruct and reopen the Plummer Spring Road Bridge over the Artichoke Reservoir.
West Newbury Town Manager Angus Jennings formally accepted the award during a ceremony in Hopedale with Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Rep. Lenny Mirra. It was one of three MassWorks Infrastructure Program small town assistance grants. The Town of Hopedale also received $1 million for intersection improvements and Gosnold received $800,000 to rehabilitate nearly two miles of roadway on Cuttyhunk Island.
“MassWorks is a valuable program that maximizes return on investment for capital funding, delivering vital infrastructure repairs that improve public safety while stimulating local and private development, job growth and housing production,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “We will continue to collaborate closely with local leaders to identify opportunities and target public resources toward the growth and wellbeing of communities across the Commonwealth.”
Plummer Spring Road Bridge, located on the border with Newburyport, has been closed since July 2018 due to a collapsed sidewall, resulting in a 3.4-mile detour. The closure impacts access to Anna Jaques Hospital from West Newbury and impedes the designated emergency evacuation route from the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station in New Hampshire.
Newburyport previously received a $500,000 MassDOT Small Municipal Bridge Grant for design and some construction. The two communities have been working together with the design engineer, BSC Group. Construction will include pre-cast guardrail transitions, as well as bridge realignment and road widening.