Progress on the Bates Bridge

Even though the cold winter months have started to chill the air, progress on the Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River continues to be made. The work by MassDOT officials and the contractor have brought the project up to 66% of completion with the contractor continuing to place cement and reinforcement steel for bases and walls in pier 3, and the drainage, pavement, and sidewalk placement activities are in progress at the north and south roadway approaches.

The existing bridge remains closed to marine traffic due to structural deterioration. Please click "Read more" to view the latest update from MassDOT. Below are two photos of the bridge’s progress.

* Drilled shaft installation in the channel for the fender system.

* Photo looking towards Haverhill showing ongoing work associated with the bridge deck, curbing and sidewalk.

Municipality Groveland/Haverhill
Project Bridge Reconstruction: Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River
Status 66% complete Cost $49,750,000
Description The project consists of the replacement of the existing Bates Bridge carrying Routes 97/113 over the Merrimack River with a new bridge located approximately 60 feet downstream. The existing bridge will remain in service during construction. The proposed bridge will have a movable span similar to the existing bridge. In addition to the 775 feet long bridge, the project includes reconstruction of the approach roadways in Haverhill and Groveland and traffic signal and geometric improvements at the intersection of Groveland Street with Lincoln Avenue in Haverhill and at the intersection of Groveland Street with Main Street near Elm Park in Groveland. Cianbro Corporation from Pittsfield, ME is constructing the project.

The primary elements of the roadway work include excavation, grading, installation of bituminous pavements, curbing, sidewalks, highway guardrail, pavement markings, relocation and/or adjustment of existing utilities, and installation of traffic signal systems.

The primary elements of the bridge work include the construction of a new movable span bridge which includes the installation of drilled shaft foundations, reinforced concrete piers, a structural steel superstructure, a concrete filled grid deck, a moveable bascule lift section, concrete abutments on pile foundations and retaining walls. Temporary cofferdams will be used during the construction of the work, which will include removal of the existing bridge.

Current Project Status – The majority of work within the river continues to be staged from two working barges that are in place to support heavy construction activities. The contractor has finished cement concrete placement for the northeast and southeast retaining walls/caps and for piers 1, 2, and 4. The contractor continues to place cement concrete and reinforcing steel for bases and walls in pier 3. Rail posts are installed along the north and south retaining walls. The cement concrete bridge deck has been installed placed from the north abutment to pier 2, which includes the end diaphragm wall and approach slab at the abutment. Cement concrete installation for the bridge sidewalk and adjacent curb is ongoing. Drilled shaft installation has commenced downstream in the channel for the fender system. Drainage, pavement, and sidewalk placement activities are in progress at the north and south roadway approaches.

The existing bridge remains closed to marine traffic due to structural deterioration. MassDOT is maintaining the draw as inoperable until such time as the new bridge is in service and the existing bascule span is removed.

Note: Additional project information and history can be found by visiting MassDOT’s website at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us and clicking on the Projects tab, then selecting “Current Road and Bridge Projects” and after entering the Town of Groveland or the City of Haverhill, select Project No. 600988.