Bacon Street Bridge Replacement
Pictured above is the current Bacon Street bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo.
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Framingham/Worcester Line over Bacon Street in Wellesley between Natick Center and Wellesley Square near Morses Pond.
Building a Better T
As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1911, is nearing the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs.
- Contract award: August 2, 2019
- Project completion: Summer 2022
- Budget: $91 million (total cost for 6 bridge replacements, including others in Lawrence, Lynn, Melrose, Somerville, and Weston)
- Status: Site preparations necessary for design start in fall 2019
To reduce service disruptions and inconveniences to neighbors, we’ll work in phases.
- Bridge replacement, with projected service life of 75 years
- Preservation of existing stone abutments
- Three-track bridge design that could accommodate future construction of a third track
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Framingham/Worcester Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
We’re using a design-build contracting method for the 6 bridge replacements that are part of the MBTA Rail Bridge Replacement Project, which will:
- Reduce design and construction time
- Improve communication between the contractor and designer
- Provide a single point of responsibility for both the design and construction.
- Promote collaboration between engineers, the contractor, and MBTA staff
Major construction is expected to start in spring 2020. Preparations start in fall 2019, including:
- Surveying
- Clearing trees and shrubs
- Evaluating subsurface conditions
What should riders expect?
We do not expect Commuter Rail service to be affected on weekdays during construction.
During at least 2 weekend shutdowns (from Friday night to Monday morning), likely in spring and summer 2021, shuttles may replace train service.
To keep riders informed, we will:
- Make announcements about public meetings and service changes at stations along the Framingham/Worcester Line
- Post information at stations and in rail cars
What should neighbors expect?
Some of this work will be noisy, and we will do our best to minimize noise disruptions for neighbors.
Once construction begins, neighbors can expect:
- Varying work hours
- Lane restrictions and detours
- Defined contractor staging areas
- Police details to ensure safe travel for vehicles and bicycles
Service Alerts
Check Framingham/Worcester Line alerts
Contact Information
For inquiries and comments related to the Bacon Street Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at BaconStBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Building a Better T
As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.