LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) was joined by Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini and state partners to celebrate $7,596,431 in federal funding to support the MBTA’s replacement of the South Elm Street Bridge. The funding will be received through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program.
“Like so many bridges in Haverhill and across our Commonwealth, the century-old South Elm Street Bridge is in desperate need of repair. And much like the Basiliere Bridge just up the street, we’re delivering the federal funding to finally fix them,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I’m proud to bring home this federal investment to replace and strengthen this critical transit artery in the city, and I’m grateful to our partners at the state and local level who will see this project through to completion.”
“The most important thing we can do to help downtown Haverhill thrive is to improve our commuter train service, including double tracks and other upgrades and improvements,” said Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini. “This money for a new South Elm Street Railroad Bridge is an important step in that direction and we are very grateful for Congresswoman Trahan and the rest of our state and federal delegation for coming through for us.”
Like many bridges in Haverhill and in communities across the Third District, the South Elm Street Bridge is over a century old. Built in 1908, the bridge is a critical artery of the MBTA’s Haverhill commuter rail line but has fallen into desperate need for repair. Given the essential nature of the bridge, the replacement project will be built on an overhead platform adjacent to the existing bridge so service can continue during construction. Once completed, the replacement bridge will be slid into position over the course of just one weekend to limit service disruptions.
The South Elm Street Bridge replacement project will cost a total of $13 million, with over half of the total amount being covered by the $7.6 million federal grant announced yesterday. Trahan supported $200 million in funding for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program during the recent government funding package, and in March, she led members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation in writing to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration expressing support for the MBTA’s application for this funding.
During the event, Trahan and Fiorentini were joined by members of the Haverhill state delegation, including State Representatives Andy Vargas, Christina Minicucci, and Lenny Mirra.
“Commuting by car from the Merrimack Valley into Boston is getting worse and worse, and we need to invest in public transportation alternatives,” said State Senator Barry Finegold. “Replacing the South Elm Street Bridge will make it easier and faster to travel on the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line, and I’m grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for securing this crucial infrastructure grant funding. The project will help create jobs, connect Haverhill with the broader region, and build on work at the state level to support train station improvements from Wilmington to Haverhill. I look forward to continuing to work with state and federal partners to increase investments in our local transportation network.”
"With the recent interruptions of MBTA service we're seeing how vital proactive investments in transit are to our residents' lives,” said State Representative Andy Vargas. “This project will repair a bridge that sorely needs addressing, reduce traffic, and continue our progress to modernize and electrify the rail line. I'm grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for securing the funding to get this done."
“Reliable and safe transportation is the cornerstone of any working community,” said State Representative Christina Minicucci. “The modernization of the South Elm Street Bridge, made possible by Congresswoman Trahan's continued advocacy, will continue to support the residents of Haverhill long into the future.”
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