Public Meeting Notice  Chicopee – Bridge replacement over Route 116 (Chicopee Street)

A Public Informational Meeting will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed project in Chicopee, MA.

Purpose:      

The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed project.  All views and comments made at the meeting will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.

Proposal:   

The proposed project consists of the full replacement of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge which carries I-391 over Route 116, locally known as Chicopee Street, in the Willimansett neighborhood of Chicopee.  The existing bridge is a concrete structure, originally opened to traffic in 1979.  It provides three northbound lanes (towards Holyoke) and three southbound lanes (towards Chicopee), though the left lanes of both directions are currently closed to traffic.  Though safe for all users, this bridge has reached the end of its useful lifespan and must be replaced.  MassDOT proposes to replace the existing structure with a new bridge which will provide three lanes in each direction, a 75-year design life span, and incorporate modern bridge design elements to reduce maintenance impacts to the Willimansett neighborhood and the traveling public.  During demolition of the existing structure and construction of the new bridge, some limited detours and closures may be required to ensure public safety, but in general, MassDOT will seek to maintain traffic on both Chicopee Street and I-391.  We invite all members of the community to attend the meeting and learn more about this project.

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available.  For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting. 

In the event of inclement weather a cancellation announcement will be posted on this website.