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Council approves temporary Mass MoCA easement to let state-funded bridge work proceed
Summary
The North Adams City Council voted to accept temporary easements from Mass MoCA so MassDOT and contractor access can support a TIP-funded reconstruction of the Veterans Memorial Bridge; councilors debated whether to repair now or pursue longer-term reconfiguration plans and heard the project could total about $20 million.
North AdamsMayor Jennifer A. Maxi asked the City Council on June 9 to accept temporary easements from Mass MoCA to allow state-funded work to access areas beneath the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The easements, Mayor Maxi said, will allow construction crews to stage equipment and access the bridge for a reconstruction project that is being advanced through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
The councils approval clears an administrative step so MassDOT can advertise and award contracts; the mayor said the bridge needs work now to avoid a permanent closure and the TIP funding is the available path to pay for reconstruction. "The clock is ticking on the bridge," Mayor Maxi told the council, urging approval so the city would not be forced into closure that would redirect downtown traffic.
Why it matters: Council members pressed the administration on the longer-term question of whether the city is still pursuing a reconnection/reconfiguration study that could lead to taking the bridge down in the future. Maxi said the administration is pursuing both tracks: repairing or reconstructing under TIP funding now while continuing the Reconnecting Communities study and related engineering work to assess reconfiguration options. The mayor and staff said the TIP award is restricted to the bridge work and cannot easily be reprogrammed for unrelated engineering; if the city refuses the funds it would likely lose them.
Key details and trade-offs: Officials said the total TIP-funded reconstruction package is roughly $20 million; final timelines depend on recording the easements, bidding, contractor selection and permitting. The mayor estimated optimistic construction start in fall, with multi-year work and a finish horizon measured in five or more years. Mass MoCA staff agreed to allow access but must be accommodated around museum events; MassDOT will pay for any restoration of Mass MoCA-owned grounds damaged during construction.
Council debate: Several councilors voiced the trade-off plainly: some described the project as an expensive temporary fix if the city ultimately removes the bridge, while others emphasized urgency to keep the bridge open and avoid immediate traffic disruptions downtown. Councilor Fitch sought clarity about whether the city remained on a path toward eventual removal; the mayor said the city is "pursuing that path" but cautioned that funding and permitting affect timing and certainty.
Vote and next steps: After discussion, councilors voted in favor on a roll-call; the mayor said the easement is temporary and will be extinguished after construction. City staff will record the easement documents and coordinate scheduling with Mass MoCA and MassDOT; the administration said it would provide future project updates as design, permitting and contracting proceed.
What comes next: MassDOT will advertise the work once easements are recorded and a contractor is selected. Separately, the administration continues work on the Reconnecting Communities engineering study to define options if the bridge were to be removed in the longer term.
