The Mystic River drawbridge is slated to undergo a yearlong repair project, starting in the spring of 2026, to extend the life of the more than 100-year-old bridge. The state Department of Transportation and design consultants outlined the estimated $3.7 million construction project for the iconic bridge over the Mystic River during a virtual information session Monday evening. The purpose of the project is to keep the bridge in a good state of repair and address its load-carrying capacity and structural, mechanical, electrical, architectural, fender system and waterway deficiencies, said John Miller, project manager with Close, Jensen and Miller PC, which is the project designer along with Hardesty and Hanover LLC. The DOT also is proposing to install steel bikeway plates to address concerns from local bicyclists about riding over the open steel grid deck, he said. The DOT currently has warning signs on both sides of the bridge to advise bicyclists of the steel grid deck, and some bicyclists choose to ride in narrow concrete-filled strips on the bridge deck.
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20240730/major-mystic-river-drawbridge-overhaul-planned-for-2026/