BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation filed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) that will allow North Reading to complete a land transfer to help facilitate the planned replacement of the Chestnut Street Bridge.
House Bill 4169, “An Act authorizing the town of North Reading to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes,” was enacted by the House on January 10 and by the Senate on January 11. On January 19, Gov. Healey signed the bill into law as Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2024.
House Bill 4169 authorizes North Reading to transfer a 533 square foot parcel of land at 168 Chestnut Street from the Conservation Commission to the Select Board and changes the land’s use from conservation purposes to general municipal purposes. This proposal was approved unanimously at North Reading’s Fall Town Meeting on October 2, 2023, leading to the filing of the required legislation shortly thereafter.
The existing bridge, which is comprised of twin metal culverts that carry the Ipswich River under Chestnut Street, is scheduled to be replaced with a single span bridge. Because the project requires the existing road to be elevated by approximately 12 inches, the 533 square foot parcel of Conservation Commission-controlled land is needed to help stabilize the slope.
“The proposed land transfer is critical to North Reading’s plans to replace the Chestnut Street bridge, which has been identified as a local priority,” said Rep. Jones. “I’m pleased to have worked closely with Sen. Tarr on the town’s behalf to help expedite the passage of this bill.”
“Given the importance of getting the Chestnut Street bridge replaced quickly and efficiently, I am glad to be able to work with Rep. Jones to clear the path for this small but strategically important parcel of land to be used to ensure the proper construction of the replacement bridge structure,” said Sen. Tarr.
“This legislation is necessary to advance the multi-year design, permitting, and manufacturing process to replace the Chestnut Street bridge. Quick legislative approval of this bill is another example of the strong advocacy of the town’s legislative delegation on our behalf,” said Town Administrator Michael P. Gilleberto.
North Reading officials had initially considered conducting temporary repairs to the bridge and potentially keeping it open with a weight limitation to minimize traffic disruption. However, after discussions with consulting engineers and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), it was determined that repairing the bridge would likely require its closure and that it would be more efficient to design and construct a permanent replacement.
In addition to providing for a more natural flow of the Ipswich River, the replacement bridge will enable wildlife, canoeists and kayakers to more easily navigate the area under the bridge, while also creating a more stable structure to accommodate automotive traffic.