Davitt Bridge to be closed 2012-2014

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Business owners in the center of Chicopee are bracing themselves for a construction project to replace the Davitt Bridge.

On Tuesday Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced the bridge on Chicopee Street will close in January until fall of 2014.

During a meeting with concerned residents he explained the bridge is unsafe and needs to be replaced.

Drivers will be detoured onto 391 or have to travel to Chicopee Falls then head down Front Street.

"Who's going to go on the highway to come through just to buy a few items or to do some kind of travel planning, they're not going to do it,’ said Maria Stafinski of United Travel Service on Exchange street.

A temporary pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be put up next to the old one, it will carry all utility lines that once ran underneath the bridge.