MassDOT announces date of demolition of Route 79; here is everything you need to know

Fall River – The MassDOT has announced when Route 79 in Fall River will be demolished for good and what that will mean for drivers trying to get around.

The permanent closure of the high-speed expressway of Route 79 northbound and southbound from Veterans’ Memorial Bridge to the Fall River Heritage State Park is scheduled to occur on February 27. Upon closure, the project team will begin demolition of bridges, retaining walls, and removal of the raised roadway and supporting soil.

Northbound and southbound Route 79 traffic will be permanently routed to the current Davol Street on either side of the expressway. All local roadways and Route 79 through movement connections will be maintained through this route using Davol Street. Route 79 drivers are advised that the speed limit on Davol Street is 30 mph and to observe local traffic regulations. Alternatively, drivers may use Route 24 for direct travel between Route 79 and I-195.

In addition to the closure of the Route 79 expressway, the U-turn bridge at Brightman Street will be permanently closed. This movement will be replaced with a U-turn from Davol Street northbound to southbound, located at the existing Cory Street underpass/ U-turn.

Detours will be in place for night and weekend demolition of the bridges for Route 79 over the south U-turn, President Avenue, and Cory Street U-turn. All detour routes and other traffic changes will be clearly signed and marked. Only 1 cross street detour will occur at a time. More detailed detour routes are described below.

Please note the schedule for these major infrastructure projects is dependent on weather and COVID-19 guidelines and subject to change without notice.

Detours are not concurrent and subsequent notice will be given prior to implementation of individual detours

Vehicles seeking to use cross-streets should utilize the following detours:

Southern U-turn Bridge

Davol Street southbound to Davol Street northbound:
-Proceed south to the signalized intersection of Water Street/ Central Street.
-At the intersection, turn right and follow Water Street.
-Take the second left onto Anawan Street.
-At the next traffic signal, turn left onto Western Fall River Expressway/ Route 79 northbound/ Route 138 northbound.
-Proceed north through the next traffic signal.
Continue to your destination.

Davol Street northbound to Davol Street southbound:
-Proceed north to the President Avenue signalized intersection.
-Turn left onto President Avenue.
-Turn left again at Davol Street southbound.
-Proceed south on Davol Street.
-Continue to your destination.

President Avenue

Davol Street northbound to Davol Street southbound:
-Continue northbound to take the southern U-turn.
-Take the left turn (U-turn roadway) and merge onto Davol Street northbound.
-Proceed on Davol Street northbound.
-Continue to your destination.

Davol Street southbound to Davol Street northbound:
-Proceed north to Cory Street U-turn.
-Take the left turn (U-turn roadway) and merge onto Davol Street southbound.
-Proceed on Davol Street southbound.
-Continue to your destination.

Cory Street (U-turn)

Davol Street northbound to Davol Street southbound:
-Proceed south to the President Avenue signalized intersection.
-Turn left onto President Avenue.
-Turn left again at Davol Street northbound.
-Proceed North on Davol Street.
-Continue to your destination.

Davol Street southbound to Davol Street northbound:
-Proceed north on Davol Street and merge on Route 79 northbound.
-Take the exit for North Main Street.
-Turn left at the end of the ramp, then turn right to return to Route 79 southbound.
-Follow Route 79 southbound to Davol Street.
-Continue to your destination.

Pedestrians and bicyclists seeking to use cross-streets should utilize the following detours:

Southern U-turn bridge

Davol Street northbound to Davol Street southbound:
-Travel north along the sidewalk on Davol Street past City Pier.
-A temporary crosswalk is signed and marked to cross Davol Street southbound and northbound (see graphic attached for location).
-Proceed across Davol Street southbound and use the temporary sidewalk to cross the infield.
-Cross Davol Street northbound to Turner Street.
-Continue to your destination.

Davol Street southbound to Davol Street northbound:
-Travel north along the sidewalk on Davol Street to Turner Street.
-A temporary crosswalk is signed and marked to cross Davol Street northbound and southbound (see graphic attached for location).
-Proceed across Davol Street northbound and use the temporary sidewalk to cross the infield.
-Cross Davol Street southbound to City Pier.
-Continue to your destination.

President Avenue

Davol Street northbound to Davol Street southbound:
-Travel south along the sidewalk on Davol Street to City Pier.
-A temporary crosswalk is signed and marked to cross Davol Street southbound and northbound (see graphic attached for location).
-Proceed across Davol Street southbound and use the temporary sidewalk to cross the infield.
-Cross Davol Street northbound to Turner Street.
-Proceed along sidewalk north to President Avenue.
-Continue to your destination.

Davol Street southbound to Davol Street northbound:
-Travel south along the sidewalk on Davol Street to Turner Street.
-A temporary crosswalk is signed and marked to cross Davol Street northbound and southbound (see graphic attached for location).
-Proceed across Davol Street northbound and use the temporary sidewalk to cross the infield.
-Cross Davol Street southbound to City Pier.
-Proceed along sidewalk north to President Avenue.
-Continue to your destination.

Davol Street and Route 79 run along the Taunton Riverfront in Fall River. Currently, access between the neighborhoods and the waterfront is limited and the corridor lacks bicycle accommodations. MassDOT is redesigning the mile long corridor to improve mobility, connectivity, and safety along and across Route 79 and Davol Street. The corridor will be transformed into a multi-modal urban boulevard, connecting the neighborhoods to the Taunton River while promoting economic growth by creating new development parcels to contribute to economic development.