Brown Street/Whipple Road Bridge To Re-Open Next Week

closed for more than two years after sustaining severe flood damage, will be open for traffic by the end of next week.

said Friday that final work on the bridge will be completed early next week.

"The bridge deck is done and the paving is done," said Gilbert. "The only things they still need to do are paint the lines, install the guard rail and cut back some brush."

News of the opening will come as a surprise to many residents. At that time, the design work was already completed and the remaining work was estimated to carry a $240,000 price tag. The state committed $130,000 to the project with the remaining $110,000 divided between Tewksbury, Wilmington and Billerica.