Photo: Karyn Regal
EVERETT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The long-proposed bridge over the Mystic River connecting Somerville and Everett got a big boost Friday.
Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito alongside Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria committed to funding the project in a meeting outside the Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett on Friday.
The proposed bridge would connect two areas with some of the biggest developments in recent years—the Encore Boston Harbor Casino and Assembly Square.
The bridge would be around 800 feet long and feature pathways for pedestrians and bike lanes. It was first proposed in 2009 after a study conducted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
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Governor Baker said at the event he sees the push to make this bridge as a testament to people wanting to be outdoors.
"This is one of the more silver lining issues, maybe the only one with COVID, which has been the rediscovery of the great outdoors, " Baker said.
"The opportunity to connect this side of the Mystic River to the other...and the trail that runs all the way up to Lynn and up toward my neighborhood in Swampscott is just a huge outdoor opportunity for so many people."
The governor said he has applied for federal grants to build the bridge, but his administration is committed to building the bridge regardless of if the grants are approved or not.
WBZ's Karyn Regal (@karynregal) reports.
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