A safe, car-free route across the Mystic River is set to become a reality. On Friday, October 22nd, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the state is committed to the construction of a new pedestrian/bike bridge across the Mystic River (press release). He was joined by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery, Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Cathy Judd/Stein and Mayor Carlo DeMaria of Everett and Mayor Joe Curtatone of Somerville.
Press Conference at Encore Boston Harbor PC: Amber Christoffersen
Along with this commitment, Governor Baker reported that the state will be receiving $650,000 in funding from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to complete design and permitting of the bridge. The project is currently in the 75% design phase -- with this new funding, the Mystic River Crossing will be shovel-ready in 2022.
Although the sources of funding for the bridge construction are not yet confirmed, Governor Baker said “If we get some federal money, that’d be great, but one way or another it’s going to get paid for, and it’s going to get done.”
He also acknowledged the importance of our public open spaces. "This is one of the more silver lining issues, maybe the only one with COVID, which has been the rediscovery of the great outdoors, " Baker said.
Bridge renderings courtesy of MassDOT
A critical missing link in MyRWA's Greenways vision, this bridge will provide access to riverfront destinations and create a regional connection from north shore communities to Boston and increased accessibility to the MBTA Orange Line.
“We’ll finally have access to our waterfront. We’ll finally have access to T stations. And we’ll finally have true equity in the City of Everett.” - Mayor DeMaria
A map showing how the Mystic Bridge is a cornerstone of the greenways vision and several surrounding path projects that are coming soon.
From the original vision to now, MyRWA has been dedicated to making this important 21st century infrastructure a reality in the next five years. Thank you to all who have supported this improvement and stay tuned for updates!
See video of Governor Baker’s full statement at Friday’s press conference at Encore Boston Harbor here>>>
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Mystic Bridge in the news:
Boston Globe, “Soon You’ll be Able to Walk Over the Mystic River Baker Says,” featuring MyRWA Greenways Director Amber Christoffersen!
Streetsblog Mass, “Eyes On the Trails: More Mystic River Greenways In the Works”
WBZ News Radio, “Governor Baker Commits to Building Bridge Over the Mystic River”
Boston.com, “State officials commit to ‘long-awaited’ Mystic River bridge from Somerville to Everett”
