New Bedford’s Mayor Mitchell reaches agreement with MBTA for “Landmark” Pedestrian Bridge

Mayor Requests Council Approval of MOU Necessary for Construction to Proceed.

Mayor Jon Mitchell is requesting the City Council approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the City of New Bedford for a $21 million pedestrian bridge creating access to the new downtown inter-city rail station.

The bridge would provide a walkway over John F. Kennedy Boulevard between Purchase Street and the station to ensure a safe walking route. After more than a year of negotiations between the City and the MBTA, the MBTA agreed to design and build the bridge according to the City’s preferences. The City will not be required to pay for any of the construction costs; construction is anticipated to begin this summer.

“New Bedford deserves public amenities and spaces that are both functional and beautiful. For a highly visible structure like this pedestrian bridge, excellence in design is a must. We have achieved that goal with this design, and I am grateful for the collaborative efforts between our team and the MBTA’s. The result will be a new city landmark of which we can all be proud,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.”


MBTA photo.