More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Wellesley Police helped keep traffic away from the Rockland Street bridge today as workers really started to put it back together.
The bridge project has had its issues, including a damaged gas line, but things now look to be moving ahead. It was originally supposed to be done by September, but the latest estimates are for December completion.
Rockland St Bridge Update: It’s starting to look like a bridge again in #Wellesley. twitpic.com/b3vfmb
— Wellesley Police(@WPDPhoto) October 13, 2012
If it seems like the Rockland St. bridge is the most lovingly tended project in town, that perception would be correct. Back in 2012, the bridge underwent a major renovation. After a couple of delays in opening (one due to a damaged gas main), the bridge reopened in January 2013.
So far in 2014, the attention-seeking bridge required that one lane of bridge traffic be closed in January on weekdays. Currently, the lane from Washington St. to Rockland/Linden St. will officially remain closed on week days throughout March from 9 am – 3 pm, but traffic was flowing freely in both directions today when we drove by at 2 pm.
Questions answered regarding Wellesley speed limit sign, traffic light cameras
The Rockland Street bridge is set to re-open by the end of December, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
After a slow start and some classic stuff such as a person driving onto the pedestrian bridge, much progress has been made in recent months.The bridge was initially expected to re-open in September.
Mike Verseckes, with Mass DOT public affairs, says recent highlights include: “The bridge deck has been placed, the approaches are being worked on, and guardrail has to be installed.” Some outstanding utility work remains, he says.
Wellesley residents felt the effects of a 4.0 magnitude earthquake that hit near Hollis Center, Maine shortly after 7pm, though Wellesley police are reporting there has been no damage reported.
FLASHBACK TO 2011: Wellesley feels tremors from 5.9 magnitude quake in D.C./Northern Virginia
The police say they have received numerous calls about the quake and are asking residents to search elsewhere for info unless they have an emergency to report.
I happened to be driving to a town meeting and naturally felt nothing given that I was driving my car, which resembles an earthquake most days. But others at the meeting I was attending said the pictures on their walls shook.
This no doubt will be cause for the Rockland Street Bridge project to be delayed a few months (actual status can be found here by searching on town).
Some in Wellesley took to Twitter to share the news:
@swellesley you feel that shaking?!?! That was a little nuts! Kids confirmed. I’m a believer.
— Chris Cavallerano (@chris_cav) October 16, 2012
https://twitter.com/Just_Xciting/status/258355126484471809
Earthquake – End of Days!Just felt that Maine quake here in Wellesley,MA.Magnitude 4.5! Woo-hoo!!!#NewEarthquake
— JP McGrath (@redallover) October 16, 2012
