The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be installing the new Route 18 Bridge over the MBTA Kingston/Plymouth Commuter Rail Line in Weymouth. MassDOT is using an innovative approach to expedite the work and minimize impacts. The installation operations will take place over two consecutive weekends in July and will include two phases. The bridge, which was built on-site, will be moved into its final position using a system of horizontal jacks to push the six-million-pound structure into place. The process will be tested from 11:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16, through 4:00 a.m. on Monday, July 19. The new bridge will then be subsequently installed from 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, through 4:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26.
Bridge Installation Operations Schedule
- Process to test bridge replacement operations will take place from 11:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16, through 4:00 a.m. on Monday, July 19.
- Final bridge installation operations will take place from 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, through 4:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26.
Travel Impacts
- Traffic on Route 18 and Commuter Rail train service will be suspended during the installation operations. All vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle travel will be detoured using Pond Street.
- Commuter Rail trains will be replaced by bus shuttles for travel between South Weymouth and Braintree stations. If customers prefer not to use the bus shuttles, alternate train service can be accessed on the Middleborough/Lakeville Line. The MBTA will use signage and announcements on its system for this change and will post information to its website alerts page at mbta.com/alerts/commuter-rail.
Local access to homes and businesses on either side of the bridge will be maintained.
Standard traffic management operations will be in place and will include the use of police details to ensure safe travel.
Advance signage will be in place, including for the detour route.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and may be impacted due to an emergency, dates are subject to change.
For more information about the project, please visit the website at mass.gov/massdot/rt18weymouthabington.
For questions or concerns, email the project team at [email protected].
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:
- Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
- Visit Mass511.com, a website that provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
- Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
- Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.