A new traffic pattern is in place on the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge, with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane carrying Route 125 traffic over the Merrimack River.
Following work last weekend, barriers now restrict southbound traffic between Haverhill and the city’s Bradford section to reduce weight on its outer edge. Installation of remaining beams were aimed at keeping the century-old bridge safe to cross until works starts on a replacement beginning later this year.
Sixteen supports were added to the span of the bridge over the Mayor James J. Fiorentini Bradford Rail Trail. All lanes and sidewalks are open again as well as the trail below.
Last year, architect Etty Padmodipoetro said residents drove the philosophy behind the new bridge’s initial design.
“It used to be two cities,” she said. “There’s Bradford, and there’s Haverhill, and this bridge has to be more than just something that you go and pass through. One of the comments that we heard was, this has something to be something special. This is an opportunity to express that kind of connection between the two communities.”
The state Department of Transportation is in the process of naming a design/builder.