MassDOT releases rendering of two new bridges along McGrath Highway

The state Department of Transportation released updated plans to build two new bridges on McGrath Highway, soon to be McGrath Boulevard, at a public meeting held on July 14. 

The meeting — with a presentation led by project staff from MassDOT, the cities of Somerville and Cambridge, and consultant partner Greenman Peterson International — explained the design proposals for the two bridges along McGrath.

McGrath will be transformed with a replacement of the Squires Bridge over the MBTA Green Line and commuter rail tracks and the addition of a new bridge that will carry Route 28 north and south over a realigned Somerville Avenue Extension, according to MassDOT. 

These projects tie into the larger McGrath Boulevard project, which will demolish the elevated highway on McGrath and replace it with a ground-level road, including space for people to walk, bike, take the bus, and drive. 

The Squires Bridge replacement project extends along McGrath Highway from Third Street in Cambridge to Poplar Street and Medford Street in Somerville. 

MassDOT said while the Squires Bridge is currently safe, it has been in a state of deterioration for 10 years. The projects are also needed for roadway improvements and neighborhood connectivity, MassDOT said in its presentation last week. 

The new Squires Bridge will be a 300-foot, single-span beam bridge with no intermediate support pillars, giving flexibility on the railroads below for construction work without any bridge supports being in the way.

The bridge will also be shifted slightly to the east of the existing bridge to allow for easier construction. The northbound and southbound roadways will each have two lanes of traffic, raised and separated bike lanes, sidewalks, and buffers, separated by a seven-foot median. Construction will take place in two halves to keep the old bridge stable and traffic moving. 

The Somerville Avenue Extension Bridge will be a new bridge over a relocated Somerville Avenue Extension. The Somerville Avenue Extension, often called “Scary Way” because of its reputation as a tight and hazardous roadway, is being moved farther away from the train tracks to meet Linwood Street at a “T” intersection. 

Chris Howard, highway team leader and project engineer at GPI, said this change is intended to make the extension feel safer for drivers. 

“We wanted to find a way to make Scary Way not so scary anymore,” he said at last week’s meeting. 

As the designs advance, the public will be informed of any property impacts, MassDOT said.

MassDOT is accepting public feedback as it refines the project designs ahead of the 25% design package required for review this fall. Following this, there will be another design public hearing meeting in early 2027, and construction could begin in 2030.

The projects have an estimated completion timeline of three to four years.