South Coast Rail Route 18 Pedestrian Bridge

Work consists of the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over MassDOT State Highway Route 18. The new pedestrian bridge will provide an ADA compliant pedestrian path of travel from Purchase Street to the west of Route 18 to Acushnet Avenue to the East of Route 18 in New Bedford. The proposed pedestrian bridge over Route 18 will be an approximate 240-foot single span, tied arch bridge. The bridge will span between two piers, one on the west end within the Route 18 right of way and one on the east end within the Acushnet Avenue right of way. The approach connection from Purchase Street to the bridge will be via a pedestrian approach plaza supported by cast in place retaining walls tied into the west pier within the Route 18 right of way. The approach plaza will consist of a combination of sloped walkways and stairs with lighting and other pedestrian accommodations included. The approach connection from Acushnet Avenue to the bridge will be via a stair and two-cab elevator system will be constructed to provide vertical transport from the bridge elevation to the ground elevation at the New Bedford Ferry and MBTA station lot. Temporary support shoring and falsework will be required to construct the span while minimizing disruption to traffic along Route 18 and Acushnet