CHICOPEE — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be hosting a public hearing on Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Liberty Church, 780 Chicopee St., to discuss the replacement of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.
In a notice from MassDOT about the meeting, it said the bridge carrying Interstate 391 over Route 116, locally Chicopee Street, has reached its useful lifespan and must be replaced.
Although it is currently safe for users, the replacement of the structure will provide the residents of Williamansett and the traveling public with a new bridge with a 75-year design life that will utilize modern standards and require less maintenance.
The proposed new structure will restore the existing bridge’s intended full capacity with three lanes in each direction.
When talking about the upcoming public hearing, Mayor John Vieau urged residents to attend the meeting to stay up to date with the project, projected traffic and timeline.
He said, “That’s I-391 that goes over Route 116, Chicopee Street, at our Vietnam Park. That bridge is being replaced, the governor had recognized that in her state of the commonwealth address that there will be a hearing on that. For anyone who’s interested to find out what is happening and how this will impact you, I encourage you to view this MassDOT project.”
For the residents, staged construction will be used to maintain traffic on Chicopee Street and I-391 during demolition of the existing bridge and construction of its replacement.
Limited detours and closures will be required at times to ensure public safety during certain operations. The meeting gives MassDOT a chance to share information about how the new bridge could look, anticipated construction stages and traffic management plans.
Information about how to receive project dates will also be provided. A set of minutes will also be taken during the meeting at tinyurl.com/4npbwwhe.
MassDOT also said they will make sure the meeting is accessible and will provide translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats and auxiliary aids and services.
Project inquires can also be emailed to I391bridgereplacementchicopee@dot.stated.ma.us.
