Bridge construction to finish 10 months early

Jan. 21, 2020 | Danielle Eaton
daniellee@thereminder.com

The Morgan–Sullivan bridge, which connects Agawam and West Springfield, is expected to be finished and fully operational as of Aug. 9, 2021.
Reminder Publishing file photo

AGAWAM/WEST SPRINGFIELD –  Half a year after a nearly two-year-long construction project began on the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge, a $1.5 million contract has been negotiated between MassDOT and Northern Construction Service to move up the expected completion date by 10 months.

According to Mass.gov, the bridge, which connects the towns of Agawam and West Springfield was originally built in 1946 and is “structurally deficient.”

The construction plan for the bridge consists of demolishing the current bridge in two different phases, widening it to four lanes rather than three, adding turn lanes, adding sidewalks and bike lanes and traffic signal improvements.

Agawam Mayor William Sapelli told Reminder Publishing   that when the project began the completion date was set for May 21, 2022. However, Sapelli said the new contract approved by the DOT will allow for the hiring of additional employees to work nights, weekends and extra hours.

Sapelli said the contract was approved on the morning of Jan. 10 and moved up the construction completion date by a total of 285 days. The bridge is now expected to be finished and fully operational as of Aug. 9, 2021. This, Sapelli said, is largely beneficial to both area businesses and the towns during the Big E.

In a video on Facebook, West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt said the $1.5 million contract was still “lower than the next lowest bidder.”

“Not only are we saving money from the next lowest bidder, we’re going to be done 10 months early,” he said. Reichelt described the bridge as a “completely new, rebuilt bridge” and said it was already “bigger and stronger.”

Sapelli added, “It’s awesome because August is before the Big E, so we’re going to miss the Big E. Even just one more Big E, we’ll have access to the side of the bridge they’re repairing now.”

Sapelli said having access to the side of the bridge that is currently under construction will be beneficial as it will provide an additional lane for traffic to use.

He continued, “That bridge project is really hurting the area businesses. Sapelli said, the “sooner that’s done the more [area] businesses can prosper.”

Reichelt echoed this and said, “It’s going to help the business here in West Springfield, it’s going to help over in Agawam and improve all our lives.”

Sapelli credited the Baker-Polito Administration for being sensitive to and aiding the needs of the towns and businesses by signing the agreement with Northern Construction Service.

“I really appreciate the Baker-Polito Administration. They deserve all the credit,” he said.

Reichelt also credited legislators with helping to get the contract approved and speeding up the completion of the project.

“This is huge news, and I want to thank all the legislators, our legislators Sen. Welch and Rep. Finn as well as Sen. Humason, now mayor of Westfield, Rep. Boldyga and also Rep. John Velis for all their work, as well as the governor’s office,” he said. “[Lt.] Gov. Polito and Gov. Baker have been huge in pushing this and making sure it happened with district DOT office in Northampton.”

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