Pedestrian bridge to New Bedford rail station ready by year's end. Here's what to know.

Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times
·2 min read

NEW BEDFORD — The $21 million pedestrian bridge that will provide access over Route 18 to the new South Coast rail station near the Whale's Tooth parking lot should be substantially completed by the end of the year.

Joe Pesaturo, MBTA director of communications, said construction began in spring 2023, and the work is currently focusing on abutments.

The bridge will provide a walkway over John F. Kennedy Boulevard between Purchase Street and the platform station to ensure a safe walking route.

Cars drive below the first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, which were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.
Cars drive below the first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, which were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.

The city will have a second platform station at Church Street in the North End.

Old bridge to be demolished

It's estimated that pedestrians will make 240 trips per day back and forth across the bridge to access the New Bedford Station at Whale's Tooth when in full operation.

That doesn't include the existing bridge's users. The old bridge will be demolished upon the new bridge's completion.

The completed bridge will be 240 feet long, with a deck about 15 feet wide. The arch tops out at approximately 50 feet above the bridge deck.

A pedestrian is seen crossing the existing overpass in the distance. In the foreground the first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.
A pedestrian is seen crossing the existing overpass in the distance. In the foreground the first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.

The bridge will feature reinforced concrete abutments, a post-tensioned reinforced deck, along with steel arches. It's designed to last for 75 years.

The builder is Barletta Heavy Division of Canton.

Construction prompts overnight road closings

South Coast Rail commuter rail service to the station is currently scheduled to begin this summer.

Construction of temporary support steel structures this week prompted some Route 18 overnight closings and detours.

The last closings scheduled, which are subject to change, are Sunday night, Feb. 25, Route 18 Southbound or Purchase Street Ramp; and Monday night, Feb. 26, Route 18 Purchase Street Ramp.

The first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.
The first two beams spanning above Route 18 northbound, were laid down for the pedestrian overpass connecting Purchase Street to the Whale Tale commuter rail station in New Bedford.

Signage and police details will be in place to direct traffic.

Nighttime work hours for the installation of the temporary support steel structures are from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Pedestrian bridge to New Bedford rail station ready by year's end