Construction Nearly Complete on Mount Vernon, Centre Street Bridge in West Roxbury

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Good news for drivers along Centre Street in West Roxbury: The construction along the roadway near Mount Vernon Street is nearly complete, and the work is expected to wrap up by early next month, according to an announcement by city and state officials Monday.

The rehabilitation project that has caused traffic delays in the area will be completed by Friday, Nov. 7, Massachusetts State Rep. Ed Coppinger (D-West Roxbury), State Sen. Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury), Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley (D-West Roxbury) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey confirmed in the announcement Monday.

“It’ll be great to see this project come to an end,” Coppinger said in a statement Monday. “I can’t thank Secretary Davey and his staff enough for the attention they gave our community. I also appreciate the patience the community showed dealing with this very important safety issue.”

The project originated after Coppinger worked with Rush to secure state funding to renovate the bridge along the roadway. But soon after work began on the project, crews discovered additional deterioration that required more extensive work. As a result, the work cost nearly $2 million and comprised the construction of a new concrete deck, the reconstruction of the sidewalks and the repaving of the bridge deck and approaches, according to Monday’s announcement.

“Projects like the Mount Vernon/Centre Street Bridge are necessary to repair our aging infrastructure and provide safe and accessible roads for all,” O’Malley said in a statement Monday. “As construction comes to a close, I want to recognize the cooperation of the residents of West Roxbury and the surrounding businesses. I also want to thank Representative Coppinger, Senator Rush and Secretary Davey for their leadership and commitment to the people of West Roxbury and beyond.”

Moreover, Rush and Davey both commended the efforts of completing the work, citing the repairs as a necessary safety measure.

“I want to commend Representative Coppinger for taking the lead on this important local construction project,” Rush said in a statement. “The safety of the bridge is of the utmost importance and the repairs were long overdue.”

Said Davey, “Maintaining our roads and bridges in a state of good repair is our top priority. Whether it’s western Massachusetts or West Roxbury, keeping our roads and bridges in working order keeps us moving and provides a benefit to the economy. We appreciate the neighbors’ patience while this work took place and we’re happy to be able to leave something in better than when we found it.”