LANCASTER — Lancaster Town Administrator John Woodsmall announced today that the Main Street (Route 117) bridge over the Still River in Bolton, which is adjacent to the Lancaster town line, will close for emergency repairs at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, and is expected to reopen Friday, Oct. 17.
In a statement, Woodsmall said the town was informed of the “unexpected closure” by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
“The bridge will be completely closed to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic during this time period,” Woodsmall said. “No passage over the bridge will be possible to any type of user of the road.”
While the bridge is physically located in Bolton, the detour route will run primarily through Lancaster, potentially impacting local traffic.
The Town of Lancaster, in collaboration with MassDOT, the Town of Bolton, the Nashoba Regional School District, and local safety departments, has developed a mitigation plan to ease the detour’s effects. The plan includes:
- Public messaging from MassDOT to deter regional traffic
- Temporary detour signage
- Increased traffic enforcement and detail officers at key intersections
- Resident alerts via the Town’s CodeRED notification system
Despite these efforts, significant traffic delays are expected, especially during morning and afternoon commutes. The town is asking all drivers to be considerate of those living along the detour route.
Lancaster residents who want to receive public safety notifications via phone, mobile, and/or text, can sign up for the town’s CodeRED system.
Questions may be directed to MassDOT at Dot.feedbackdistrict3@dot.state.ma.us or to the different town departments via the town’s website: https://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us.
