Comm Ave. Bridge Construction Officially Underway, Traffic Delays Expected

BOSTON (CBS) – Construction got underway Friday on the Comm Ave. bridge, a project that is expected to create headaches for Boston commuters.

Crews are replacing the westbound side of the bridge. During construction the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is urging drivers to stay away, warning "It's coming. It's bad."

The bridge deck has already been assembled nearby. Next, crews will move it into place and secure it.

"Like all projects, the reason we are doing this one is not because we want to disrupt the public. It's because we have to. This bridge is a nearly 75-year-old bridge. It's at the end of its useful life," said highway administrator Jonathan Gullivar.

Still, that doesn't ease the pain for commuters like Ron Watts.

"If we're late for work, we lose money. They're not going to give us that money back," said Watts, who commutes from South Boston.

Starting Friday, Green Line B service will be replaced by shuttle buses between Babcock and Blandford Streets. Then Friday at 9 p.m., lane closures will begin on the Mass Pike.

Last summer there were big delays when the eastbound side of the bridge was replaced. This year, commuters already know they need to be prepared.

"I drive a lot for my job so it's a big inconvenience with everyone on the road so I am going to have to change my lifestyle for the next couple of weeks or so," commuter Scott Goldstein said.

Saturday morning demolition on the bridge gets underway. The project is expected to take two weeks with a completion date of August 11.

In the meantime, both MassDOT and the MBTA websites have information on the project's impacts.