New Rosemont Street Bridge Over Little River in Haverhill Opens to Traffic

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Haverhill’s new Rosemont Street bridge with classical features opens to traffic Thursday after workers completed installation of guardrails Wednesday.

As WHAV reported this week, City Engineer Lisa E. DeMeo said the bridge could open as soon as guardrails were attached. She noted, however, riverbank restoration underneath can continue without disturbing traffic, but eventual relocation of electric wires to overhead poles will require a future closing when National Grid work takes place. She explained the closing is required because the utility will have trucks in the street.

The new $4.4 million Rosemont Street bridge, carrying traffic over Little River near Plaistow, N.H., conveys a traditional look with, what are called, “Texas Rails.” Besides replacing the 1934-era bridge, the project’s scope includes a widened “stream width that mimics the natural upstream and downstream reaches of the Little River;” a dry passage for wildlife, such as turtles, for example; and restored banks on both sides under the bridge.

Worcester-based BETA Group, engineering, and Kodiak Corporation of Lawrence, contractor, were tasked with designing and building the new structure along a 90-foot section of Rosemont Street. What had been a 16-foot, eight-inch single span bridge was replaced with a nearly 36-foot-long structure.

The entire project cost was covered by a federal American Rescue Plan Act grant. All money from the grant must be spent by the end of this year.