I-91 bridge construction gets underway

DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Construction has started on a new I-91 bridge over the Deerfield River in Franklin County. Will the major construction project inconvenience drivers?

Constructing a new bridge is a daunting project, costing 36 million dollars and requiring nearly four years.

Department of transportation spokesman Michael Verseckes told 22News, this project won't be finished until the spring of 2016.

And how will this affect the thousands of drivers traveling north and south in the Greenfield area?

According to Ann Hamilton, Pres. of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, “They have assured us there will be four lanes of traffic at all times. There should not be tie ups Friday night to Sunday night. There are a tremendous number of cars on 91.”

Ann Hamilton suspects that the raging Deerfield River from last year's tropical storm Irene may have actually damaged the bridge. “There was quite a bit of damage from Irene last year, and that whole river below the bridge actually changed its course. So I tend to think there may have been some damage.”

DOT has assured the people of Franklin County that only when heavy equipment is on the move, they temporarily lack four lanes of traffic during the nearly four years of construction.