Lawrence - Canal Street Bridge

In early 2011, MassDOT awarded E.T.& L. Corp. with a $9,081,866 contract for a bridge project in Lawrence, MA. The majority of work consists of constructing a new Canal Street Bridge over the Spicket River. The existent stone arch bridge that sits next to the old Oxford Paper Mill is a visible reminder of the city’s mill-town history, but it has been deteriorating for some years. So rather than replace the old bridge, the city and the state opted to construct a new single span, steel plate girder bridge just north of the existing structure. Keeping the original bridge will benefit the city in two ways: it can remain in use during construction, alleviating potential traffic problems, and it will endure as a part of the city’s history. This decision was forwarded in part by Groundwork Lawrence, Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to bettering the quality of life for Lawrence citizens. They recently led the effort to design and build a Greenway along the Spicket River, connecting a number of parks and open spaces, which should get underway summer 2011. Indeed, E.T.& L. Corp.’s Canal Street Bridge project compliments the Greenway, as the old stone arch bridge will be rehabilitated as a sort of park-bridge with landscaping and seating for public enjoyment at the mouth of the Spicket River. In addition to the bridge work, Canal Street will be widened from Union Street to Marston Street, new traffic signals will be installed at the intersections with the aforementioned streets, and both Marston Street and Prospect Street will be reconstructed at their intersections with Canal Street. This road and bridge work will all be complete by March 2014.