Holmes Road Bridge Expected to Open on FridayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | |
 Finishing touches are being put on the Holmes Road bridge, which is scheduled to reopen on Friday. The span has been one lane for four years and closed this summer to expedite work. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After years of anticipation, the Holmes Road bridge is on schedule for a Friday reopening.
Earlier this month, the city reported that the contractor has been actively working on-site to ensure that this deadline is met. Bridge deck waterproofing was installed on Aug. 14 and paving followed.
Currently, pavement can be seen on the structure.
"We understand the inconveniences this DOT project has caused and deeply appreciate your patience during this work," an update on the city website reads.
The bridge was reduced to one lane for four years after being found structurally insufficient and in need of a $3.5 million replacement of the overpass structure. This included a new superstructure over the Housatonic Rail line, a restored sidewalk, improved bicycle access, pavement and traffic barriers.
Northern Construction Service LLC was awarded the project and began abutment repairs under the bridge adjacent to the railroad. An access road was constructed to facilitate the transport of heavy equipment needed for the work.
Bridge work finally began on June 23 after prodding by state and local officials and the span was closed to through traffic this summer.
Traffic traveling southbound on Holmes Road is detoured toward Pomeroy Avenue, Crofut Street, and then to Route 7/20. Traffic traveling northbound is encouraged to utilize Route 7/20.
In partnership with the town of Lenox, the Pittsfield Fire Department is temporarily housing an additional crew of firefighters at the North Station in Lenox to cover the southern part of Holmes Road and the surrounding area.
A couple of public meetings, one in 2022 and one in June, were held to inform residents and abutters on the project while providing a platform to voice concerns.
While residents were eager to have two lanes of traffic restored on the bridge, there were concerns about how it would affect traffic on the detour routes and residents in the area.
The expedited two-month closure was chosen to avoid years of bridge work.
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