Photo: Getty Images
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Residents are wondering when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is going to reopen the River Street Bridge almost six months after it closed.
The bridge, located in Hyde Park's Cleary Square, was closed last May when inspectors found unsafe beams under the structure. MassDOT has since ordered a complete replacement of the bridge.
"We can continue to move forward, that there are no supply chain issues, a brand new state of the art safe bridge can be open by 2025," State Representative Robert Consalvo said.
While he understands it is inconvenient for residents, getting the bridge replaced hasn't been easy for lawmakers with several obstacles getting in the way.
Read More: Some Dedham Voters Had Mixed Feelings About Question 4
"MassDOT could inspect the bridge for only about an hour to two every night, having to get permission from Amtrak to shut off the electrification," Representative Consalvo said. "It also carries four major utilities across it and so those then have to be disconnected and then they had to take the results and come up with a plan so this is an extremely complicated project that I am actually grateful MassDOT agreed this community can't wait that long."
While some Boston residents told WBZ's Chris Fama they weren't happy with the closure, one woman said she can wait for the repair since she feels it is necessary.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App