Haverhill Celebrates Ceremonial Groundbreaking for $240M Basiliere Bridge Replacement Project

(Photograph gallery below.)

Local and state officials Tuesday ceremonially kicked off the expected six-year construction of the replacement Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge with a groundbreaking celebration.

Top leaders, including Congresswoman Lori Trahan and interim Secretary of Transportation and Phillip Eng, were on hand to formally launch the $240 million project. Eng, who also serves as Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority general manager, said $190 million of federal money secured by Trahan helped speed the replacement timeline.

“This is not just about rebuilding a bridge. It’s making sure the community, the residents, the businesses are vibrant and robust so not only the folks that have chosen to live, work and play here, there families and their future generations can do the same,” he said.

Trahan said speeding the overdue replacement of the bridge that carries Route 125 traffic over the Merrimack River is what she had in mind when she voted for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.

“This is more than a celebration of steel and concrete. It’s a celebration of perseverance of a community that kept showing up, kept pushing forward and never lost sight of what this bridge means for the people of Haverhill.”

The congresswoman took time to acknowledge the bridge’s honoree’s sacrifices.

“Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere was a son of Haverhill, a United States Marine, a rifleman that gave everything for his country in Vietnam. He was just 20 years old when he was killed in action on May 17, 1966—the city’s first casualty of that war.”

The Marine’s nephews, namesake and now-Ward 1 City Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere and Eric Basiliere, listened in the audience.

District 4 Highway Director Paul Stedman, who filled in as master of ceremonies for Undersecretary and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, called the replacement project “One of the largest transportation investments in the Merrimack Valley in a generation.” He called the bridge a “defining feature of the City of Haverhill.”

Transportation Department Chief Engineer Deputy Administrator Carrie Lavallee, a Merrimack Valley resident, spoke to the beneficial features of the replacement structure. She noted the bridge expands to four lanes and adds protected spaces for cyclists and pedestrians while featuring architectural characteristics that denote the city’s character.

“From the signature arches to the central overlook, to the lighting and even the reuse of copper from the towers, this bridge will honor its history while creating a new future.”

Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett noted construction is starting sooner thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that delivered the money, but acknowledged the temporary disruption to come. “This will be a difficult time—a six-year window—but we’ll get through,” she said.

The city’s legislative delegation chose different elements on which to focus. Rep. Andy X. Vargas recalled crossing the bridge as a teen as young people will continue to do, saying it’s “not just a bridge for cars, but a bridge for joy.” Sen. Barry R. Finegold called Haverhill a “city on the move” with “amazing things happening” and now aided by the bridge. Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton said the new bridge is “worthy of the hero who bears his name.” He also noted he looks forward to the time when he won’t fear walking across the bridge during the Santa Parade.

Others taking part were MBTA board President Thomas M. McGee; bridge builder, Middlesex Corporation President Robert W. Pereira; Ward 2 City Councilor Daniel R. Diodati and Haverhill City Engineer Lisa DeMeo.