SAUGUS — The Water Street Bridge on Route 129 has been replaced with a new, safer and more reliable bridge.
The old bridge was more than a century old and in poor condition, said Town Manager Scott Crabtree in a statement. Over the years, flooding had contributed to the erosion of the pavement and supporting structure of the bridge.
It was swapped out for a 12-foot by 5-foot reinforced boxed culvert. New guardrails have been installed and the area is freshly paved in a project that began in June.
“It is a top priority to continue to provide the residents and visitors of Saugus with the safest and most reliable infrastructure,” said Crabtree.
The town applied for a $500,000 grant through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Municipal Small Bridge Program to replace the old 15-foot bridge. The program allows the project to be funded entirely though the grant, saving the town and taxpayers money.
Saugus was one of 36 communities to be awarded a grant by the Baker administration last March. Awards totaled $16 million.