Mom's Moment

With a Key Bridge Down, Will Traffic Be Up?

Columnist Deb Robi writes about the upsides and downsides of the Rockland Street Bridge closure.

Thank you, MassDOT for giving us plenty of warning as you work to replace the Rockland Street Bridge. Thanks for pushing back the date of closure, too. I need time to ponder how my driving around town will be impacted. I often cross the bridge half a dozen times in a day. That means, I'm either not planning trips around town very well, I have too many children with too many activities, or I keep forgetting an errand in either Wellesley or Linden Squares! Thanks too, for the very attractive footbridge that I know will come in handy for commuters who require daily train station access, bikers, who are doing us all a favor by staying out of their cars, and for students walking to and from school. Thanks for giving residents two extra weeks to…

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 9

Your daily roundup of news and events.

The Board of Selectmen will meet tonight at 7 at Town Hall. …Representatives from Wellesley’s legislative delegation will attend the meeting to offer the state of the town as it enters budget season. This weekend was markedly warm, especially Saturday. Today’s high temperature will be 39 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will close the Rockland Street Bridge this Friday. They’ll demolish the bridge next week. The Wellesley Police Department says the Rockland Street Bridge closure will cause heavier traffic during drop off/pickup hours. What do you think? Do you have any alternate route suggestions for people unfamiliar to Wellesley who may be passing through?

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 6

Your daily roundup of news and events.

The weather reverted back to a more manageable level last night. …But the National Weather Service says there’s a slight chance of snow today. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has pushed the Rockland Street Bridge closing and demolition date back by a week. It will close Jan. 13. Wellesley added a new precinct – H – this year. This is the first additional precinct in town since 1952. This year’s annual town election will be March 13.

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Rockland Street Bridge to Be Permanently Closed, Demolished Beginning Jan. 13

A walking bridge will be provided for pedestrians, however.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will officially begin its work on the crumbling Rockland Street Bridge beginning Jan. 13, according to a Wellesley Police alert. The bridge will be demolished throughout the week of Jan. 15, and construction of a new bridge will begin immediately. Once closed, motorists will have to use Kingsbury Street as an alternative route, the alert says. MassDOT originally scheduled to close the bridge tomorrow, but pushed the closure back a week, according to a recent alert. Here’s a portion of an earlier alert: Motorists should expect increased traffic in the area of Washington Street at State Street, and Kingsbury Street at Linden Street both in the morning and the evening commutes. There will most …

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Rockland Street Bridge Closed Today

Police will detour traffic away from the area.

The Rockland Street Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today due to roadwork. Crews will begin work on the aging bridge, according to at Wellesley Police alert. “The nature and extent of the work will require that the bridge be closed for the day,” the alert said. Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) crews will begin restoring the bridge in the coming months, thus it will be sporadically closed to the public. “Eventually, the bridge itself will be closed to all traffic as it will be completely rebuilt and replaced,” the alert said. Police will be on scene diverting traffic. According to the MassDOT website, the new bridge deck will be raised 5.2 inches to provide a 17 foot 9 inch clearance over the railroad tracks. The …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 6

Around here, a heat wave is typically defined by three days of temperatures above 90 degrees. (But would you call that a winning streak?)

1.    The School Committee will meet this morning at 8:30. Here's the agenda. 2.    We are certainly in the thick of summer. The National Weather Service is calling a high of 90 degrees tomorrow and nothing but sunshine. 3.    Just a little f.y.i. with your Wednesday morning coffee: The Cottage restaurant recently opened a sister location in Chestnut Hill. 4.    Our Question of the Day yesterday dealt with the future of the Rockland Street Bridge and roads in Wellesley. Click the link and give your opinion. 5.    Speaking of Questions of the Day, Wellesley Patch wants to know what’s on your mind. If you have one, e-mail the editor at Bret.Silverberg@Patch.com.

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Question of the Day: What Other Roadways Need To Be Fixed in Wellesley?

Tell us your opinion in the comments.

The Cedar Street Bridge was replaced over the course of one weekend after a two-month lead up. The MassDOT project, called a “heavy lift” because construction and replacement involved building a new bridge next to the old one and lifting it onto Cedar Street,” was a first for Wellesley and there will be similar bridge lifts in Massachusetts in the coming months. The Swellesley Report today acknowledged that the Rockland Street Bridge is next on the list of bridge projects for Wellesley. Swellesley notes the bridge is in dire need of work. There are potholes, a very sharp right turn from Linden Street and the bridge is too narrow. The MassDOT provides a list of projects in place, but what other roadways in town require work?

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