WORCESTER — A pedestrian bridge over rail track close to University Park has been closed since a December inspection, and it could cost at least $5 million to do the necessary rebuilding to reopen a bridge.
A report submitted to the City Council’s Tuesday agenda by interim Department of Public Works & Parks chair Robert Moylan spelled out the poor condition of the pedestrian bridge connecting Crystal Street with Illinois, South Crystal and Canterbury streets. He concludes reopening the bridge would require a costly rebuilding.
The report states the bridge was closed by DPW after the department was notified of an inspection by the state Department of Transportation Dec. 14 2023.
The city retained a consulting firm to review the bridge and develop repair alternatives. Based on the MassDOT inspection and field observations, it was determined two piers that support staircases on the north and south sides of the bridge had undergone significant structural degradation, requiring the piers to be completely demolished and reconstructed.