The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced plans to improve safety on the Tobin Memorial Bridge with additional high visibility signs and increased State Police presence. The measures are expected to help reduce the speed of heavy trucks traveling over the 50 year old bridge located in Chelsea and Charlestown.

The enhancements come after Massport officials recently met with representatives from the City of Chelsea to discuss bridge safety. During the meeting, officials specifically discussed an accident that occured in late June when a speeding truck exited the bridge's Beacon Street ramp. The incident involved multiple vehicles and resulted in one death.

"This is just the first step in cracking down on truckers who think they can barrel across the Tobin Bridge," said Virginia Buckingham, Massport Executive Director and CEO. "These new safety measures will help protect the 70,000 people who cross the bridge every day and the communities nearby."Buckingham has pledged to continue to work with the City of Chelsea in seeking further safety enhancements to Tobin Bridge.

Starting in early August, Massport will install flashing signs at and before the Beacon Street off ramp alerting drivers to test their brakes. In addition, State Police, stationed on the bridge 24 hours a day, will be augmented by a State Police Truck Team comprised of Massport's State Police Troop F and the MassPike's Troop E. This combined public safety unit will conduct periodic checks, stopping trucks to conduct brake tests and measure their weight. The increased enforcement will deter truck drivers from speeding and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

"We are constantly improving our bridge operations," said Mary Jane O'Meara, Massport's Director of the Tobin Bridge. "Whether it's FastLane or a video system to quickly respond to breakdowns, we are ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable travel on the Tobin Bridge."

Massport's O'Meara holds bi-monthly Traffic Committee meetings with public safety officials, emergency response personnel and traffic managers from the state, Chelsea, and Boston. The group exchanges information on construction projects and traffic and works together to address roadway issues related to the Tobin Bridge and the cities of Chelsea and Boston.

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