New Bedford makes a pitch to MassDOT for airport and bridge improvements
NEW BEDFORD — Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Jamey L. Tesler visited the city Tuesday as part of a tour of local infrastructure.
The visit included trips to the New Bedford Regional Airport and the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge where officials made arguments for funding improvements to the two landmarks.
Tesler, along with other local and state officials, met at the airport where the city gave a presentation on its vision for a new terminal to replace the current one.
The current structure, built in 1950, is outdated and facing many failing systems, according to the city.
Among these: failing sewer\septic systems, failing HVAC systems, insufficient toilet facilities for women, disability access, a leaking roof and windows.
"We presented our case for a new terminal," Mayor Jon Mitchell said at a later press availability. "We talked both about some of the design concepts as well as some of the differences in costs.
"I firmly believe you can't have a real city if you don't have a real airport and that's why we're dedicated to enhancing infrastructure at the airport."
Jeffrey DeCarlo, aeronautics administrator for MassDOT, elaborated.
"It's a study that's being offered [for] potential future state funding," DeCarlo said.
He said that the study — set to finish by September, according to him — would look at two options for improvement: either a renovation with the current air traffic control tower in place or a complete replacement.
"They want to study this in depth," he said.
Should authorities decide to build a new terminal, they would need permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to move the current one.
Studies are still in early phases and did not include cost estimates yet.
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Mayor Jon Mitchell asked The Standard-Times to leave the airport meeting.
According to New Bedford spokesman Michael Lawrence, the meeting was not organized by the city and the mayor was invited by Rep. William Straus - who also invited The Standard-Times.
The city later provided The Standard-Times with a copy of the slideshow presented in the morning.
'The second time was all it took'
Soon after the meeting at the airport, officials met at Pope's Island to walk on the bridge where it was revealed that Modjeski and Masters was just hired by MassDot to conduct preliminary studies on a potential project.
According to MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, the state is paying the architects $5 million for the preliminary work.
Just before conversation began, the bridge opened up to allow boats to pass through, backing up traffic on both sides of the bridge.
"I saw the backup on this side," said Tesler.
"Backup is similar on the other," Mitchell told him.
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Calls for the bridge's replacement were renewed in March after an incident left it stuck in the open position.
"The first time I was caught here 40 years ago, I thought [the bridge] was quaint," said Rep. William Straus. "The second time was all it took for me to change my mind."
According to Straus, Modjeski and Masters is set to meet with MassDOT to determine stakeholders in the process and plan out public hearings on the matter.
"It's going to be a fully engaged design process to work with everyone," said Tesler.
Also present were state Representatives Chris Hendricks, Paul Schmid, and Antonio F.D. Cabral.
Contact Kevin G. Andrade at kandrade@s-t.com and follow him on Twitter: @KevinGAndrade. Support local journalism and subscribe to the Standard-Times today!
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: City pitches DOT on infrastructure improvements.
