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Missing anchor bolts discovered beneath the Cross Street Bridge have forced the MBTA to schedule a 90-day repair that will reshape traffic patterns in Winchester starting July 19.
The bolts, found sheared off or entirely absent during an inspection in early fall, left the bridge structure sitting unevenly on its bearings — a condition severe enough that the agency presented the work to the Select Board as an urgent matter requiring immediate action.
Adam Kamoune, who handles municipal and state affairs for the MBTA’s General Manager’s Office, introduced the project to the board on June 29.
The bridge, which carries commuter rail service beneath a roadway, consists of two separate structures, each 22 feet wide. The MBTA determined it cannot repair the anchor bolts and bearing plates while trains run on the tracks above, meaning crews must take sections of track out of service to proceed safely.
Work will unfold in two phases between July 19 and mid-October. One lane of the roadway under the bridge will close during each phase, leaving alternating traffic and a protected work area.
The MBTA’s project manager detailed the repair sequence and said the agency expects to finish in 75 to 80 days, but is projecting 90 days publicly.
“We try to under promise and over deliver,” said George Kober, the MBTA’s senior director for capital delivery.
Four weekend track outages are scheduled to allow work on specific portions of the bridge without live load conditions. A fifth weekend stands as contingency in case work extends beyond schedule.
To maintain pedestrian access, the MBTA said it will ensure a safe route exists at all times for walkers crossing the street.
The soccer club near the bridge, whose entrance will be temporarily affected during south side repairs, has coordinated with the agency on traffic changes to manage access.
The bridge’s narrow clearance has drawn additional concern. Vehicles periodically strike the low-clearance structure, leaving visible damage.
During the Select Board meeting, residents raised the issue of adding warning signage on side streets and at entry points to alert drivers before they approach.
The MBTA said it lacks jurisdiction over roadway signage, but can install signs that the town provides and directs.
Town officials indicated they are exploring options, including advance warning systems similar to those used in other communities, and said they would work with the MBTA on improvements.
Winchester has posted the Cross Street Bridge Repair as an official town project wenbpage, where the work is listed alongside related municipal efforts, including the National Grid Gas Replacement, the Packer-Ellis Tennis Courts and the town’s Transportation Plan.
As crews prepare to begin, the repair has moved from the project list to the center of municipal attention.
Will Dowd is a Massachusetts journalist who covers municipal government and community life for Winchester News. He is also the founder and editor of The Marblehead Independent, a reader-funded digital newsroom.
