Bridge project affects emergency service response time, could take years to fix

School buses, ambulances and fire trucks can no longer use a bridge on Fearing Hill Road and will have to take a detour to reach County Road and other areas on the west side of Wareham.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently informed town officials that the bridge, which spans the Weweantic River near the intersection of Fearing Hill Road and Main Street, can only support six tons. Personal vehicles can still safely use the bridge. 

Emergency medical, fire, school transportation and snow removal services have mapped alternate routes to avoid the bridge.

Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Haskell said the new routes will impact response times, adding approximately five minutes to the time it takes for fire engines to reach areas abutting County Road. Smaller support trucks used by the fire department can still cross the bridge and will not be slowed.

The Marion Fire Department is not impacted by the bridge and can reach emergencies more quickly with their fire engines. Marion firefighters are assisting Wareham by responding to calls near the town line.

The weight restriction will have a similar impact on emergency medical services response time said Director Brad Allen. Wareham EMS has coordinated a similar arrangement with Marion to ensure “high-priority” calls have professionals on scene as soon as possible.  

The bridge was built in the early 1900s and reinforced in 1985. Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said that in short, it is at the end of its’ life.

Sullivan said that while engineering plans are currently underway, it could take several years to finish the project, with environmental concerns regarding smelt fish populations adding to the delays.

The project is estimated to cost between $4.5 and $5 million, which Wareham will pay for through a combination of grants and town funds.