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State, federal, and local officials gathered in Fall River for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Route 79 urban boulevard project. Mayor Paul E. Coogan opened the event, introducing Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Speakers celebrated the completion of the $115 million infrastructure project, which replaced an aging elevated expressway with an at-grade boulevard, reconnecting the city’s neighborhoods to the Taunton River waterfront and unlocking approximately 20 acres of land for mixed-use redevelopment and housing.
Remarks were delivered by U.S. Congressman Jake Auchincloss, State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, State Representative Carole Fiola, and Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades President Jim Pimentel. Gulliver highlighted that the project was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule and on budget by joint-venture contractors D.W. White and SPS New England, earning honors including the New England Project of the Year from the American Society of Highway Engineers and an America’s Transportation Award from AASHTO. Speakers also celebrated the synergy with other major regional infrastructure achievements, including South Coast Rail, Braga Bridge rehabilitation, and the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Following remarks emphasizing the vital role of union labor and advocating for local union jobs on future private waterfront developments, Governor Healey addressed media questions regarding incoming developer bids for the newly opened 20-acre corridor. The ceremony concluded with officials gathering to cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the project’s official opening.
Topics discussed
- 5:05 · Labor and Union Workforce Contributions
Jim Pimentel, President of the Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council, praised the union workforce that delivered the project ahead of schedule and advocated for union construction on future waterfront developments. - 6:24 · Welcome and Overview of the Route 79 Transformation
Mayor Paul E. Coogan and Governor Maura Healey welcomed attendees and celebrated the completion of the $115 million Route 79 urban boulevard, opening up 20 acres of waterfront property for housing and commercial development. - 8:12 · Federal and State Partnership Remarks
Congressman Jake Auchincloss praised the collaboration between federal, state, and local leadership, commending Mayor Coogan’s municipal administration and the ongoing growth across Fall River. - 12:47 · MassDOT Project Milestones and Contractor Recognition
State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver reviewed project achievements, noting it finished nearly a year ahead of schedule and earned national engineering awards, while thanking MassDOT staff and contractors D.W. White and SPS New England. - 14:06 · Historical Context and Regional Waterfront Vision
State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues and State Representative Carole Fiola reflected on over two decades of planning to reconnect Fall River’s urban core to the Taunton River waterfront alongside South Coast Rail and bridge improvements. - 14:06 · Press Q&A and Ribbon-Cutting
Governor Healey answered questions about competitive developer bids for the 20-acre corridor, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon.