NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 15, marking the official reopening of the Brown Street Bridge.

 

"We are very excited despite the cold weather," Macksey said before the ribbon-cutting. "… We are chipping away at these projects, but this is long overdue."

 

The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 26-foot steel structure, built in 1952, was flagged after its superstructure rating fell to 3.

 

The reopening follows a temporary repair project designed to safely restore access while the city and state determine a long-term plan. The temporary repair contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian at a cost of $349,920.

 

Funding for the project included $75,000 from state Chapter 90 road funds, with the balance was covered by state flood money the city had been previously awarded following a severe storm in July several years ago.

 

The mayor emphasized the critical need to reopen the span, particularly for public safety. 

 

"The perception behind that was we have flooding on West Main Street and River Street, we have to use this bridge," she said. "We are very excited to have it open. Not only to alleviate traffic problems down at the intersection of Big Y and the intersection of City Hall, but to help our friends at emergency management with the ambulance."

 

She noted that without the bridge, Northern Berkshire EMS, which is headquartered almost directly across from the crossing, had an additional two minutes to their travel time. 

 

"They had to go all the way around, and two minutes can be a lot when you are having a heart attack," she said.

 

The mayor was joined by city staff, City Councilors Lisa Blackmer and Andrew Fitch, representatives from Maxymillian and MassDOT, and state Rep. John Barrett III.

 

Barrett agreed with Macksey that it was important for the bridge to open sooner rather than later. He said he pushed the state to complete engineering.  

 

"It was taking a while, and I started asking questions on why it was taking so long, and basically the engineering problem was straightened out," Barrett said. "It had been sitting there too long … It is key. You have the hospital this way, so it was important for us to open it."

 

Macksey thanked MassDOT and Maxymillian for their efforts, stating she had pushed to complete the project before the holiday season and considered the timely opening her Christmas present.

 

The bridge remains listed on MassDOT's long-term Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for either preservation or full replacement. It is currently part of a single preservation project with a target construction date of 2027. 

 

Following the ribbon cutting, Macksey was the first to cross the bridge in her vehicle.