Boston Gets Approval To Rebuild Long Island Bridge

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) gave the green light to Boston's three -year $92 million proposal to rebuild the bridge to Long Island. In a ruling, MassDEP determined that Boston's proposal meets the performance standards under the Wetlands Protection Act and minimizes impacts to coastal wetland resources in both Boston and Quincy, the city announced Saturday.

In 2014, Walsh closed the Long Island Bridge and demolished the bridge because of safety concerns. But it meant that the people who depended on the shelter and recovery programs on Long Island were forced to go elsewhere.

"Our efforts to create a regional recovery campus on Long Island have always been guided by our fundamental belief that every person deserves a chance at recovery," said Mayor Marty Walsh. "The opioid crisis we're living goes beyond city lines, and we welcome everyone's support as we take action to help those suffering find their path to a better life. The Long Island Bridge carried the weight of those in need for more than 60 years and it's our hope that the island will once again serve as the sanctuary it's meant to be."

The bridge between Moon Island and Long Island in the Boston Harbor cost some $2 million and was opened in 1951. The idea was to provide better access to Long Island Hospital. The hospital closed but the bridge continued to provide access to a homeless shelter and programs for people with substance abuse. When the bridge was closed in 2014, so was access to those programs. Anyone living on Long Island or in one of the programs or staying in one of the homeless shelters were abruptly asked to go elsewhere.

In his 2018 inaugural address Walsh said he planned to rebuild the bridge and create a comprehensive, long-term recovery campus on Long Island.

But rebuilding the bridge has been met with push back.

Earlier, the Quincy Conservation Commission's Order of Conditions denied Boston's application to rebuild the bridge. And when Boston Conservation Commission's granted the permit, Quincy appealed, according to the city.

The existing piers will be rehabbed and crews will build a new superstructure and improve access to the roadways on both Moon Island and Long Island, according to the city. The plan is for the new bridge to last for 75 years.

Authorities poo pooed the idea of a ferry service, saying it would have too great an environmental impact, not to mention it would cost and take too long to implement. And, they said, it just wouldn't be the right fit getting folks to and from the recovery site.

"The City of Boston is planning an innovative and holistic recovery campus on Long Island that will expand essential recovery services for the region, fill gaps in the continuum of care and utilize the natural environment to provide a healing space," according to a release.

Gensler and Ascension Recovery Services will identify the types of services, resources and treatment options for the island and create a master plan for the recovery campus, according to the city.

Boston filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court against 13 opioid manufacturers, four distributors, and one local doctor that have contributed to the local opioid epidemic through misleading marketing and reckless dissemination of opioids that has led to the deaths of more than 830 Boston residents since 2014. As part of the litigation, the city is seeking to recover both past and future damages and injunctive relief associated with addressing the opioid epidemic in Boston.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).