PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Pontoosuc Avenue bridge has been in poor condition for a decade and will be replaced next year with improved pedestrian access.

Officials assure the public that it is not in danger of failing before construction begins. A detour will use Briggs Avenue for through traffic between Wahconah Street and Pontoosuc Avenue.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation held a 25-percent design hearing virtually on Tuesday. Located next to the former Harry's Supermarket, the bridge extends over the West Branch of the Housatonic River and provides access from North Street to Wahconah Street.

"In November 2015, the bridge superstructure was determined to be in poor condition as part of its routine bridge inspection," explained Shannon Beaumont, senior project manager with Fuss & O'Neill.

"The project was subsequently scheduled for funding by a MassDOT for rehabilitation or replacement, and the project kicked off in October of 2021."

The $7.7 million project will be funded through the 2026 Transportation Improvement Program for the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and continue for about a year.

The aim is to provide a new bridge that meets current requirements, enhances existing multimodal access with bike lanes and sidewalks, maintains or improves the existing bridge opening, and avoids unnecessary abutter impacts by minimizing changes to the alignment and vertical profile.

An evaluation was done on the strength, stability, and condition of the more than 30-year-old structure.  The concrete abutments are in fair condition with adequate strength but the stability of the existing abutments don't meet current design standards and a full bridge replacement is required.