(Oct. 6, 2026) – There’s another bridge project coming to Ayer next Spring. But unlike the West Main Street Bridge, the DPW says this will not involve any detours or lane closures.
The DPW received two bids for the Barnum Road Bridge Rehabilitation Project Project (as opposed to the West Main Street Bridge project which is a replacement). The Select Board met a few weeks ago to award the Barnum Road contract to a Hudson company for $979,777. The Town of Ayer has received a $906,000 grant from MassDOT for the project so the town has to find a way to bridge the funding gap through existing or additional funds from a grant or other means, according to the meeting discussion.
Marked 1941, the bridge is a short distance from the rotary, heading toward Devens and near the Grove Pond Water Treatment Facility. The Barnum Road Bridge crosses Bowers Brook and the project will include structural concrete repairs, stabilization and guardrail improvements. Most of the work will occur under the bridge, the DPW Director said.
If you want to see photos of the bridge, the Town of Ayer has posted the “Barnum Road Bridge Inspection Report 2-17-2026” on the town website, along with the bridge plans.
