Public hearing to take place on Marion-Wareham bridges replacement

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is hosting a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to present and discuss the proposed design for the replacement of the Marion-Wareham Bridge and a second Wareham bridge over the Weweantic River.

Registration is available now.

The replacement of these bridges has been on the minds of community members since 2018 when the state’s plan was initially presented at a Select Board meeting in Marion. 

Funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the state revived the effort in 2022 and the first phase of the design was submitted for review. Though the original plan was to begin construction in the fall of 2023, the project remains in the design phase.

Last year, community members voiced concern over the design. They want the bridges’ causeway, or center island, to be removed to increase water flow, and they want the height of the bridge to be raised to allow more boats underneath.

The updated proposal summary is as follows:

The proposed project consists of replacing the two bridges on Route 6 over the Weweantic River. The bridges are separated by an approximate 400-foot-long causeway. The bridges and causeway will be widened to accommodate a wider shoulder and one 10-foot wide Shared Use Path on each side of the roadway. 

The Marion-Wareham bridge is currently a two-span bridge and the Wareham bridge is currently a three-span bridge. The span arrangement will remain the same. However, the spans will be lengthened to accommodate a larger vertical profile while retaining the same hydraulic opening by building the abutments behind the existing abutments. 

The proposed project will provide bridge and roadway safety improvements and MassDOT will use staged construction to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction during construction. Pedestrian access will also be maintained throughout construction with the use of temporary sidewalks.

The proposed project will provide bridge and roadway safety improvements and MassDOT will use staged construction to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction during construction. Pedestrian access will also be maintained throughout construction with the use of temporary sidewalks.

The project will also include complete and partial removal of the existing bridge structures, roadway reconstruction, highway drainage improvements, salt marsh replication and protection, traffic and pedestrian management, pavement markings and signage, utility relocation/protection and all other related bridge and highway work.

A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be presented in the hearing.

Project inquiries, written statements and other exhibits regarding the proposed undertaking may be submitted to Carrie E. Lavallee, chief engineer, via email to massdotmajorprojects@dot.state.ma.us or via U.S. Mail to Suite 7210, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Major Projects, Project File No. 605311. Statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the hearing transcript must be emailed or postmarked no later than ten (10) business days after the hearing is hosted.