'I have confirmed that DCR (the Department of Conservation and Recreation) and MassDOT continue to make good progress on the design and permitting of the Mystic River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge,' wrote Gaetner. Gaetner promised to get us an answer, and followed up by email last Friday. Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, to ask for an update. The federal government declined to fund the project from its competitive RAISE grant program in 2022.ĭuring last week's MassTrails grant announcements in Billerica, StreetsblogMASS buttonholed Kurt Gaetner, Asst. However, there had been no public updates on the bridge since then. Two years ago, former Governor Charlie Baker committed funding to finish designing and permitting the bridge.

The bridge would provide a direct link between the Encore Casino and the Northern Strand Trail on the northern banks of the Mystic River in Everett to the Assembly Square neighborhood and its Orange Line station in Somerville, on the southern bank. A new car-free bridge to connect Everett and Somerville over the Mystic River is on schedule to begin construction in 2024, according to state officials.