BERNARDSTON — The state Department of Transportation is planning an estimated $29.7 million reconstruction of two bridges on Route 10 that officials say will ultimately lead to better traffic flow and pedestrian access.

Ahead of construction, which is expected to begin in the summer or fall of 2026, MassDOT representatives held a virtual hearing on July 17 to explain the preliminary construction plans.

The project is part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a list of projects being done in collaboration with MassDOT and other state agencies.

Eighty percent of the $29.7 million project cost will be covered by federal aid with the remaining 20% covered by state funding.

Robert Niccoli, MassDOT’s design consultant from TEC Inc., explained the two existing bridges are reaching the end of their functional lifespan, requiring a full reconstruction after several “Band-Aid repairs” by MassDOT over the past several years.

“Both of these bridges were built in 1959 with the construction of [Interstate 91] and they’re starting to show their age,” Niccoli said.

Both bridges are located on Route 10 in Bernardston, one crossing over Fall River and the second crossing over Interstate 91. They are roughly 750 feet from each other.

The bridge over Fall River will undergo a complete reconstruction due to corrosion from water flow impacting the concrete pillars that make up the foundation of the bridge, and the bridge over Interstate 91 will undergo a complete deck replacement.

The total project length is about half a mile starting at the Hartwell Street intersection east of the bridges and ending at Bald Mountain Road to the west.

“We need to replace the Route 10 bridge over the Fall River in its entirety due to the corrosion and the environmental degradation in the foundation of some structure units,” Niccoli explained. “We need to fully replace the bridge deck carrying Route 10 over I-91. We need to eliminate those yearly Band-Aid repairs that we’ve had to do to kind of keep up with the deck. The idea of this is to provide minimal-maintenance structures for the next 75 years, so that we can keep traffic moving.”

Both bridges will remain roughly the same width, potentially increasing slightly.

The bridge over Fall River will include two 12-foot-wide vehicle lanes, two bicycle lanes on either side of the road, a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on one side of the road, and 6-foot buffers between vehicle lanes and bike lanes to protect cyclists.

Similarly, the bridge over Interstate 91 includes 12-foot-wide vehicle lanes, bike lanes and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk. However, there will only be a 3-foot-wide buffer for the bike lane eastbound compared to the 6-foot-wide buffer for the bike lane westbound.

“In June 2022, due to the condition of Route 10 over the Fall River bridge, MassDOT authorized design funds for the replacement of Route 10 over the Fall River,” Niccoli explained. “Then inspectors from MassDOT pointed out that the bridge carrying [traffic] over I-91 had its own deficiencies, and rather than disrupt the area with this project and then circle back in a few more years to do the bridge over I-91, the thought was, ‘Let’s put these together. Let’s do this as one cohesive project and get it all done at one time.’”

Selectboard Chair Ken Bordewieck said the need for the project is clear.

“I am very pleased that this project is happening,” Bordewieck said. “The need to repair the bridge and make it safe to travel over is obvious. I’m also pleased that MassDOT is managing this project and has committed the resources to see it through.”

Still, he voiced concerns about traffic detours through town during construction.

“I am concerned about the potential for diverting southbound traffic off of Interstate 91 through the center of our town and south onto Route 5,” Bordewieck noted. “This could be a problem on Sunday nights during the summer, leaf-peeping season and the ski season.”

For most of the construction, MassDOT plans to have two-lane travel remain open on both bridges, with one alternating lane open for traffic directed by a police officer for shorter periods of time.

If necessary, vehicles will be detoured through Route 5 in Bernardston in the event of Interstate 91 needing to be closed during construction. Pedestrian and bicycle crossing is expected to still be available during construction. MassDOT plans to complete extensive construction during times with less vehicle travel to reduce the impact on traffic.

“We will be getting through the disruptions and the traffic jams,” Bordewieck said. “This bridge project is extremely important to Bernardston.”

Construction is expected to begin in the summer or fall of 2026 and is estimated to finish in the fall or winter of 2030.

Additional project inquiries can be emailed to MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us.