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Weymouth opens pedestrian bridge to ease access to Lovell Field and link Back River Trail
Summary
Town officials, contractors and state lawmakers gathered at Lovell Field to cut the ribbon on a new pedestrian bridge intended to shorten the walk from MBTA overflow parking, complete a segment of the Back River Trail and support nearby Jackson Square development.
Weymouth officials and state lawmakers gathered at Lovell Field to mark the opening of a pedestrian bridge that connects the athletic fields to the MBTA overflow lot and ties into the towns Back River Trail plan.
Mayor Mike Malice thanked organizers and elected officials in attendance and described the bridge as more than an access point. "It's got a big purpose," he said, adding the walkway will support businesses and roughly 200 housing units planned around Jackson Square and that the adjoining Jackson Square work is expected to begin in about two weeks.
Former Mayor Bob Hedlund, who recounted the grant-seeking and planning that preceded the project, credited consultant assistance and direct advocacy with securing state support. "When we made our case, we talked about not only the pedestrian access to the MBTA, but a big hook for the state was they considered this a link to our Back River Trail system," he said. Hedlund also noted the broader grant effort during his tenure, saying the town secured more than $100,000,000 across projects while he served.
Steve Bridal, director of recreation, said the athletic complex had been a "victim of our own success," pointing to parking strain after the 2018 Lowell Field improvements. He thanked in-house DPW crews, engineering staff and outside partners including CDR Maguire and MassBridge for planning and construction help.
Bob Mulanville explained funding and permitting steps, including a 2019 Community Preservation request for $182,000 covering design and permitting, and said the bridge required a Chapter 91 license for waterfront work. He credited town engineers and consultants for keeping costs and change orders minimal during construction.
State Sen. Patrick O'Connor and Rep. James Murphy presented a joint citation recognizing Weymouths investment in athletic fields and the new bridge. "This bridge is gonna make a big difference to all the players that come from Weymouth," Murphy said, describing youth soccer growth in the town to roughly 1,000 participants.
Organizers cut the ribbon and acknowledged contractors and environmental stewards who worked on the project. Officials said the bridge was built off-site by MAS Building And Bridge Of Norfolk and installed in spring 2025 to limit disturbance to herring migration in the Herring Run Brook. Town speakers also thanked conservation staff for addressing shading and habitat concerns and noted the bridge completes an important link in a Back River Trail master plan conceived around 2003.
The ceremony concluded with acknowledgements for Community Preservation Committee members, designers and permitting consultants; officials said the bridge will serve both the athletic fields and broader waterfront-trail connections as Jackson Square redevelopment moves forward.
