Franklin has 2 of the more than 400 Massachusetts bridges rated 'poor' by Feds

"More than 400 Massachusetts bridges, including the largest one in New England, are considered to be in such poor condition that they either need major work or to be replaced outright, according to state and federal data, underscoring the challenges the state faces keeping up with its aging infrastructure.

Franklin has 2 

In all, 450 of the more than 5,280 bridges tracked by the Federal Highway Administration — roughly 8.5 percent — are rated as poor, or, put more bluntly, are “at the end of their useful life,” according to state officials. State data show that 676 bridges in total are considered “structurally deficient,” meaning at least one major component has enough serious problems it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Either designation doesn’t inherently mean the spans are unsafe, transportation officials and experts say. But officials in Massachusetts and elsewhere are taking stock of their infrastructure and safety protocols after a cargo ship rammed into a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse. Six construction workers are presumed dead."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/29/metro/400-massachusetts-bridges-rated-poor/

Franklin Matters Map of the 2 bridges on the listing in past useful life condition

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UGYogWuUGzH9hWNPA

If I read the data table properly, while there are effectively 2 bridges for i495 to cross the MBTA railroad and Summer St, one north bound and one south bound, only one section of each of them is on the listing, not both.

Map view of i495 bridge south bound over MBTA railroad -> 

Map view of i495 bridge north bound over Summer St ->

"It was a 1977 Pontiac"

The DPW shares an Elm Street Bridge update:

"Elm Street Bridge Update!!!  

So some folks wondering why bridge was closed and when it will reopen??? In layman's terms, the Elm Street bridge is a very old granite block bridge that was constructed in the late 1800s. MassDOT and Franklin Public Works keeps a keen I on it.  

When the Charles River raises to a certain level, as measured by the red and yellow marker on the side of the bridge (see photo below), we might recommend closure for safety as the velocity of the water in the river might undermine the footings of the bridge which could cause a bridge failure, i.e. the bridge could collapse!  

Before we reopen the bridge, the footings need to be inspected by the MassDOT dive team. They were out there today, even though the level of the Charles River has dropped by more then a foot, the velocity of water is still to swift for them to safely inspect. So we have to wait a little longer. 

Going out on limb here, but feeling pretty confident that the inspection will turn out positive. It is very well constructed old bridge that has seen a lot of floods over the years! As they say, they "don't build like that anymore"! 

On a side note, it was a 1977 Pontiac that made jump, not a 1978!"

"It was a 1977 Pontiac"

The update was shared from -> (click through for larger images of each photo) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/posts/3580143848922282/

And if you missed the original post to reference the Pontiac, the photo is shared here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/posts/3578933692376631/

"Unless you own a 78 Pontiac Trans AM, I would seek an alternate route"

Franklin Girls Scout bridging ceremony held on June 4, 2023

Franklin Girl Scouts held their bridging ceremony on June 4, 2023 at New England Chapel.

Heather provided the Welcome Address

Good afternoon to our Girl Scouts, Leaders, Honored Guests, Family & Friends and welcome to our Bridging & Awards Ceremony for 2023. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Heather and I wear many hats in our Franklin Service Unit. 

Heather provided the Welcome Address

First and foremost, I am a parent to two Girl Scouts here today, a 2nd year Cadette, and a 2nd year Brownie. I am also Cookie Mom & Treasurer for both of my girls’ troops, a co-leader for the Brownie troop, and most recently added on being the  

Treasurer as well as the Fall Product & Cookie Mentor for Franklin Girl Scouts. I love being a part of this organization and helping foster strong, independent, caring young ladies in our community in hopes that they can go out into the world and do even better than we have.

We are so glad to have you all here today to take part in the long standing tradition of “Bridging.” For our newest Girl Scout parents, bridging is the act of crossing from one level of Girl Scouts to the next. There are a total of 6 levels before becoming an Adult member, most of these levels are maintained for 2 years. We begin as Daisies in Kindergarten & 1st grade. Brownies are 2nd & 3rd grade. Juniors are our 4th & 5th graders. Cadettes are 3 years for all of middle school 6, 7, & 8th grade. Then it is 2 years each of Seniors & Ambassadors through High School. You will see and hear from troops in each of these levels today, some will bridge, others will not, but all of them have wonderful things to share with us today.

This year it finally felt like we were truly back to Girl Scouting as normal after 2 years of makeshift scouting during COVID, and this year there were many changes within our Service Unit (SU). Our long-time Franklin GS Mentor stepped down and a new team of leaders worked hard to step up and get our Service Unit back up and flourishing after the past few years. I’d like to thank and recognize Liz Feigen for stepping up to take on that new leadership role so that our SU did not dissolve, and Sarah Clarke for her help working together with Liz to keep our SU thriving this year and bringing back so many long standing traditions. Thank you both.

Before we get to the Girls and their accomplishments, recognitions, and bridging, I’d like just a few more moments to highlight some of the wonderful and fun things we did as a whole Service Unit this year. Our Service Unit is Franklin Girl Scouts as a whole, we run under GSEMA, but operate independently for anyone wondering. This fall we came back to the Harvest Festival with a tent for crafting and recruitment trying to remind girls and parents that Girl Scouts are still here in Franklin, MA! 

We of course sold cookies, as you all very well know, and had so many amazing cookie booths. We hit some incredible numbers for both personal and troop sales! I will let the troops choose to mention the personal sales, but I would like to recognize Daisy Troop 64085 as our top selling troop for the year, and Junior Troop 82351 as our 2nd highest selling troop. Great job ladies, I’m sure you will do or have already done so many amazing things with the money you earned from all of your hard work. While mentioning cookies I would at this time like to recognize all of our wonderful Cookie Volunteers who are here today. 

If you are a TCC “aka Cookie Mom” would you please stand so we can thank you for all you did for us this year. We could not have a cookie season without you, so thank you from all of us for your hours of dedication to ensure the cookies were ordered & picked up, cookie booths were stocked, and all of these girls got their numbers in on time. Thank you. 

If you are a TCC and also a Troop Leader or Asst Leader would you please remain standing. These volunteers work double time during cookie season, not only doing all of the things I just mentioned, but also planning and running our Girl Scouts’ meetings! They are rock stars!!! Thank you ladies, for all that you do for our girls.

Some other highlights at the SU level include multiple donations to the Franklin Food Pantry during the holidays, lots of cookies after cookie season, as well as snack items following our My Guy and Me Dance. In total over 200lbs was donated this year from our Franklin Girl Scouts. We also had a troop that donated to first responders as well as the FFP. This year our My Guy & Me Dance returned after a three years hiatus, with over 80 Girl Scouts in attendance and 75 special Guys dancing the night away! 

I can tell you that was a big thing in my house, as my daughter was a 1st year Daisy in 2020 when the Dance was canceled just a few days before it was supposed to take place. Now 2nd year Brownies (that’s 4 years of GS) were finally able to go!!! Franklin also held World Thinking Day at the FPL as a public event for the first time ever which was a wonderful time. 

We participated in Franklin’s Earth Day Cleanup, we had a super fun Roller Skating Party at Roller Kingdom, and most recently marched in the Memorial Day Parade. It has been such a wonderful year seeing our Girl Scouts back out front and center in the community, and we hope to do even more next year to let Franklin know we are here, and we are SO much more than just cookies.

Last on my agenda this afternoon is to recognize all of our INCREDIBLE volunteers who are here today as Leaders. Without our leaders and assistant leaders, we would not have Girl Scouting, period. These women put in hours of work on top of everything else they have going on to dedicate their time to these young ladies sitting in front of me. They plan meetings and execute them, they learn songs and games that have been around for decades, and keep so many Girl Scout traditions alive and moving on to future generations. 

Most of them also volunteer at the Service Unit level to plan events like the dance, and this bridging ceremony today. They are amazing and hard-working and deserve to be recognized. If you are a leader, co-leader, or assistant leader of a troop, would you please stand and remain standing, we’re going to play a little game. If you have been a leader for at least 2 years, please remain standing. If you have been a leader for at least 4 years, please remain standing. 5 years….6 years….8 years…10 years….12 or more years. 

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Girl Scouting in Franklin, and for anyone here today that wants to get more involved but does not want to lead a troop, please reach out to any one of us here today. Parent volunteers are so important not only at the troop level, but also at the town/service unit level. We would love parents to help with planning some of our bigger town events, and getting to know you!

-------------

Tonight we would like to show our gratitude to 2 amazing volunteers for their dedicated service to our Franklin Girl Scouts, Roni Doherty, and Judi Cook.

● Judi Cook started volunteering when her granddaughter was in Daisies. She joined as a leader for the troop as 2nd year Daisies and remained a leader through 2 years of Brownies, 2 years of Juniors, 3 years of Cadettes, and all 4 years of High School staying with the troop for a total of 12 years. During this time Judi also took on the additional role of becoming the Franklin Girl Scouts Treasurer, and served in that role for at least 7 years. She was also the designated CORI Volunteer for our Service Unit. At this time we would like to recognize and thank you Judi for your 12 years of service to Girl Scouting in Franklin. Would you please come up and accept this recognition on behalf of everyone here today.

● Roni Doherty has been a staple in Franklin Girl Scouts longer than some of us have even lived in town. Roni has been a registered Girl Scout for the past 22 years, and is currently a Lifetime Member. Over the course of those 22 years she has led troops of Brownies for 6 years, Juniors for 2 years, Cadettes for 3 years, and the High School Seniors/Ambassadors for 9 years. Roni joined and began leading a Brownie troop before her own daughter had even joined Girl Scouts, and remained a leader for 7 years after her daughter graduated from High School. Beyond leading her own troops, Roni has received several awards from our Council. In 2010, Roni was awarded the Honor Pin from Girl Scouts of Eastern MA, in 2015 she was recognized for 5 years of Sustained Service, and in 2019 she received the Appreciation Pin.

 In 2019 Roni took her service beyond the troop level and began serving as Franklin’s Service Unit Coordinator. The Service Unit Coordinator is the key contact person for GSEMA to get information to each town’s troops. And the point person for troops to go to with questions about policies and procedures from GSEMA. She’s like the COO of Girl Scouts in Franklin. So it’s a big job, and Roni led us for years. She was knowledgeable, accessible, hard-working, and dedicated to making sure that leaders were informed, and the girls had a fantastic experience. This year, Roni has officially passed the torch on her leadership role. And while we know she has stepped down, we also know that Girl Scouts will always be a part of her life in some capacity, and that she is always one of our sisters.

 Thank you Roni, for your 22 years of service and leadership to Girl Scouting in Franklin. Would you please come up and accept this recognition on behalf of everyone here today.

---------------

Bridging Ceremony by group

• Daisy Troop 77229 
• Daisy Troop 64036
• Daisy Troop 64085 
• Brownie Troop 70643 
• Junior Troop 82351 
• Cadette Troop 62378
• Cadette Troop 62394 
• High School Troop 80637 

Photo album of the event ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EEUhSBUyVfqiSX147

“I think 2025 is a very aggressive schedule"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"State Department of Transportation officials have laid out the three-stage process it will likely take to start replacing the Bourne and Sagamore bridges, with the goal of starting construction on the same timeline as laid out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The multiyear process will include preliminary design, a 25% design and then handing it over to a design and building firm for the construction phase, department officials said in an interview with the Times on Tuesday. 

The department took the lead on replacing the two 85-year-old bridges last week after signing an agreement with the Corps, the owner of the existing bridges, that would hand over ownership of the newly constructed bridges to the state. 

The project was originally going to be done by the Corps, but the state is taking over because Massachusetts transportation officials said it was better suited to build two highway bridges. Replacing the bridges will be the largest construction project on Cape Cod in recent memory, and the state is currently embarking on the preliminary design phase."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200715/massdot-shoots-for-2025-construction-start-on-1b-project-to-replace-bourne-sagamore-bridges?rssfeed=true

The press release announcing the transfer of ownership from the Army Corp of Engineers to Mass DOT  https://www.mass.gov/news/memorandum-of-understanding-reached-between-massdot-and-the-us-army-corps-of-engineers

Further updates can be found on the Mass DOT page
https://www.mass.gov/cape-cod-canal-transportation-study

Further updates can be found on the Mass DOT page

Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run - New for 2019!

Dolores and I did this walk in 2014 and it was a good experience to walk the bridge

 

For the first time ever, the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run will be awarding finisher's medals to all 2019 race participants!

RACE INFO  |   REGISTER  |   COURSE   Wear Your Accomplishment! We're excited to share that this year's Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run will have finisher's medals for the first time ever! Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Citizens Bank, we'll be able to make the same large charitable impact this event is known for, while also awarding every runner and walker with this custom-designed medal at the finish line! Featuring a 3D-modeled image of the bridge and the Newport Pell Bridge 50th Anniversary logo, the medals hang from a silky, sublimated ribbon. Earn yours on October 20th at the ninth annual Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run! REGISTER NOW   ‌  ‌  ‌ © 2019 Gray Matter Marketing. All rights reserved

Gray Matter Marketing | 200 Highpoint Avenue, Unit B5, Portsmouth, RI 02871 Sent by info@graymattermarketing.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

"This summer’s project will use a more condensed timeline"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Have any vacation time saved up? If you commute to work on the Massachusetts Turnpike, this might be a good time to use it. 

State transportation officials are warning drivers to expect significant delays in the area of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Boston as the state finishes the second phase of its $110 million project to replace it. 

The work, set to begin this week, will disrupt nearly all forms of travel, though for commuters in MetroWest, the worst effects will likely be felt between 9 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6. 

During that nine-and-a-half day stretch, the Turnpike will be reduced to a maximum of two lanes in either direction between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180723/boston-bridge-project-to-slow-mass-pike-commute

Additional details and link to MassDOT information on the project was shared in May  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/05/comm-ave-bridge-project-update-i-90.html

Comm Ave Bridge Project Update: I-90 Lane Reductions
and Ramp Closures begin July 27

Reminder: Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Project This Week; I-90 Lane Reductions

This is a reminder that the 2017 Construction Shutdown for the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project (http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement.aspx) is beginning at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 26, and will continue through 5:00 AM on Monday, August 14. Please note the construction-related impacts below:

Reminder: Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Project This Week; I-90 Lane Reductions

For Drivers:

I-90 (Mass Pike) Users:
From 9:00 PM on July 28 to 5:00 AM on August 7:
• I-90 between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass in Boston will be reduced to two lanes in both directions during peak hours (additional lane closures during off-peak hours, see below).
• The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed.
• The I-90 Westbound Exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently.

I-90 Off-Peak Lane Reductions:
Weekdays, July 28 - August 1 (during I-90 eastbound shift):
• 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM: one eastbound lane open and two westbound lanes open
Weekdays, August 2 - August 7 (during I-90 westbound shift):
• 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM: one westbound lane open and two eastbound lanes open
Weekends (9:00 PM on Friday to 5:00 AM on Monday):
• One eastbound and two westbound lanes open, or one westbound and two eastbound lanes open

See the "I-90 (Mass Pike) Ramp Closures Detour" on the Traffic Management page: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx

Commonwealth Avenue Users:
• Commonwealth Avenue (between Packard's Corner and Kenmore Square) will be closed to vehicular through traffic (local access only) from 7:00 PM on July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 14. Access will be maintained for businesses and abutting properties.
• See the "Commonwealth Avenue Closure Detour" on the Traffic Management page: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx

Boston University (BU) Bridge Users:
• The BU Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:00 PM on July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 14.
• See the "Boston University (BU) Bridge Closure Detour" on the Traffic Management page: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx


For Pedestrians and Bicyclists:
• Pedestrians and bicyclists will have full access across the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge on the westbound side throughout construction.
• Bicyclists heading north and south between Mountfort/Essex Street and the BU Bridge will follow a minor detour route. See the new Bicycle Routes and Detours Map on the Traffic Management page: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx
• There will be additional Hubway stations on Commonwealth Avenue during the shutdown (see below).
• See the Walk and Bike Times Map: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/8/docs/HighlightedProjects/CommAveBridge/WalkBikeTimeReduced.pdf


For MBTA Green B Line Users:
• The Green B Line will be replaced with shuttle buses between Babcock Street and Blandford Street Stations from 9:00 PM on July 26 to 5:00 AM on August 14.
• See the Green Line page on the project website: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement/GreenLineBBranch.aspx

For MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak Users:
• The Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line will operate regular service on weekdays.
• On weekends (July 29-30 and August 5-6), service will terminate at Boston Landing, where customers can take a shuttle to Reservoir on the Green Line D branch.
• Extra Green Line trains will run from Reservoir to Park Street to accommodate Commuter Rail passengers.
• There is no scheduled direct shuttle service provided between Boston Landing and Yawkey, Back Bay, or South Station.
• There will be service between Boston Landing and Yawkey Station only related to the Red Sox games (7/29, 7/30, 8/5, 8/6). This service will be inbound from Boston Landing to Yawkey three hours before the start of each game and outbound with a departure 30 minutes after the conclusion of the ballgame.
• See the Commuter Rail page on the project website: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement/CommuterRailFraminghamWorcesterLine.aspx
• Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited Line will be replaced by shuttle buses between South Station and Albany, NY for the weekends of July 29-30 and August 5-6.


For MBTA Bus Users:
• MBTA Bus Routes CT2 and 47 will be detoured from the normal routes from 7:00 PM on July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 14.
• See the MBTA Bus page on the project website: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement/Bus47CT2and57.aspx
• Route 57 Bus will operate its normal route.

MassDOT Encourages Active Transportation

There will be pedestrian and bicycle wayfinding signage at all Green Line shuttle bus stops on Commonwealth Avenue to encourage active transportation, especially for short trips. This will help optimize shuttle bus operations by shortening bus wait times and headways.

Additional Hubway Stations:

MassDOT is partnering with Hubway to provide additional temporary Hubway stations on Commonwealth Avenue during the construction period at:
• Babcock Street
• Silber Way

Hubway Ambassadors will be assisting users at these temporary locations Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM and from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, providing additional bikes on a first-come, first-serve basis. All existing Hubway stations along Commonwealth Avenue and the rest of the Hubway service area will continue to be operational.

For New Hubway Users
• Download the brand new Hubway mobile app, available for iPhone and Android: http://www.thehubway.com/how-it-works/get-the-app
• Use the app to find a station near you.
• Starting soon, you'll also be able to get a pass via the app (only for a single trip or save 0 on a full annual membership during the shutdown!)
For more information, visit http://www.thehubway.com, and download the new Hubway mobile app.

Please see the project website: www.mass.gov/massdot/commavebridge for more information and to review project documents and presentations.

Please share this advisory with anyone you think may be interested in the project, and encourage them to sign up for email alerts for traffic updates and meeting announcements: http://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MADOT/subscriber/new?topic_id=MADOT_77%27

For any questions or comments, please contact Jim Kersten, MassDOT Legislative Liaison, at 857-368-9041 or by email at CommAveBridge@dot.state.ma.us.

Sincerely,
Commonwealth Ave Bridge Replacement Project Team

MBTA: Reminder - Friday - Franklin Line shuttle after 9:00 PM

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service (select trains) between Forge Park/495 and Norwood Depot Stations beginning at 9:00 pm on Friday, April 21st, 2017, due to Guild Street Bridge Replacement in Norwood.

Due to Guild Street Bridge Replacement, buses will replace select evening trains between Forge Park/495 and Norwood Depot Stations in both directions on the following dates:

- Friday April 21st, 2017

Customers should allow additional travel time anticipating delays of approximately twenty (20) minutes.

The following trains will be affected:

• 727 (9:00 pm from South Station)
• 728 (9:01 pm from Forge Park/495)
• 730 (10:25 pm from Forge Park/495)
• 732 (11:46 pm from Forge Park/495)
• 731 (11:50 pm from South Station)

The following stations will be affected:

• Norwood Depot
• Norwood Central
• Windsor Gardens
• Walpole
• Norfolk
• Franklin
• Forge Park/495

Last updated: Apr 19 2017 08:31 AM
Sent by the MBTA

Seen from the Franklin train: the pre-built portion of the bridge to be used as the replacement
is over there on the right. The train is on the bridge to be replaced