The $10.1 million project includes the painting of the bridge.
View of the South End bridge from the Agawam side as seen in 2008.
SPRINGFIELD – Truck traffic, starting late Thursday, will be detoured around the South End Bridge as part of $10.1 million in painting and repair projects.
Michael Verseckes, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the truck detours, which could be in place for as long as a year, will likely be put in place after rush hour.
“Posted detours will be in place for the duration of the job,” Verseckes said. “This is all part and parcel to bring the bridge back to where we need it to be.”
Truck traffic needs to be detoured because lane reductions will reduce the width of the ramps on either side of the bridge to 12 feet. “The ramps are on a curve,” Verseckes said. “That’s too narrow for truck traffic.”
Truck traffic to Route 5 south will be detoured to Longhill Street and truck traffic to Route 5 north will be detoured to East Columbus Avenue.
Verseckes said work involving the Springfield side of the bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, should be done by next summer. Work on the Agawam side should be completed this fall.
The bridge-painting work is being done by the Michigan-based Atsalis Brothers Painting. According to that company’s website, the project involves approximately 500,000 square feet to be painted.
Work on the Springfield ramp area is being done by David G. Roach & Sons of Ware and work on the Agawam side is being done by MIG Corp. of Acton.