New Braga Bridge Lighting System Enhances Safety and Community Fun
Braga Bridge Lighting: An Investment in Public Safety, Civic Pride, and Regional Connection
Braga Bridge and Deval Street Projects Drive Fall River's Economic Future
A ceremony was held to celebrate the official lighting of the Braga Bridge in Fall River with a new, modern LED system. The event, which was moved indoors due to rain, featured several speakers including Jonathan Gullver, the Under Secretary and State Highway Administrator; Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll; Interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng; Senator Michael Rodrigues; Representative Carol Fiola; and Fall River Mayor Coogan. The speakers highlighted the bridge's significance as a key piece of infrastructure, carrying approximately 90,000 vehicles daily between Fall River and Somerset, and as an iconic landmark for the region. The project, which took three years for design and installation, replaces a lighting system from 1986 and is part of a broader effort to revitalize the Fall River waterfront, including the Route 79/Davol Street corridor project. Representative Fiola explained that the lighting colors will be managed by the state according to a schedule on mass.gov, with blue being the default color on nights without a specific designation. The Mayor's office will help coordinate local requests for special lightings. Several speakers, including Mayor Coogan, paid tribute to the bridge's namesake, Charles Braga, a Fall River resident who was the first from the city to be killed in World War II at Pearl Harbor. The ceremony concluded with a countdown, after which the new lights on the Braga Bridge were officially switched on for the first time.
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All right. Hey everybody. My name is Jonathan Gullver. I'm the under secretary and state highway administrator. And I am really pleased to welcome you all here tonight for the bridge lighting ceremony for the Braa Bridge. And uh as many of you know, this is something we've been working on for a long time now. It's a defining landmark in this area. Uh after now three years of design and installation, extensive
0:20stakeholder collaboration, many many of which were some of the main folks who helped us with this are standing behind me. And uh we are really h happy to be here to get this uh this this lit up tonight. You know, first before we start, I want to thank the DCR for we had a switch tonight because the weather's not cooperating. Thank you very much for letting us all in this beautiful facility. And uh I also want
0:42to thank our contractors Caviello Electric and Port Lighting who's here with us tonight. Uh these guys have been working with us on many bridge lightings across the state. And you know, in the past, bridge lighting was something that was viewed more as a functional element and and really not a feature. It's something that we've been changing over the last couple of decades as we look at
1:01our infrastructure as being something that's not just there and functional, but something that's part of the community. And with a lot of the advances we've made, including uh including those advances with our partners here tonight, LED wireless controls, uh a lot of this stuff is controlled through the internet now from your cell phone. All this stuff has made mint making these kind of lightings
1:22better and better and it's what allows us to do this tonight and I know everybody is going to be really happy with it. And uh again this new lighting system is going to enhance both the safety on the bridge itself but also uh is going to provide a lot of fun for the community for years and years to come.
1:39So we have a number of speakers here to be talking talking about this tonight and what brings us here. So, first off, uh, speaking on of cities and towns, it's my pleasure to to introduce our first speaker, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Lieutenant Governor understands firsthand about the importance of partnering with municipalities, empowering local leaders, and helping communities bring
1:58projects like this lighting installation to light. And under Lieutenant Governor's leadership, the Healey Driscoll administration's made it a priority to support every community across Massachusetts, uh, no matter what it is that they're trying to accomplish.
2:11She works hand in hand with our local partners in every single corner of the Commonwealth all over the state and we've really shown working with her what the state can do in strong collaboration with those communities and tonight's celebration is a great example of how those partnerships are in action. So to say a little bit more about this, please join me in welcoming Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
2:34Thank you Jonathan.
2:36It is terrific to be here to celebrate an important milestone and I'm so pleased to be joined by Representative Fiola. I think Representative Thurber is on his way if he's not here already. Um, uh, Senator Rodri's. These are the folks who have been dogged in their determination to get this project finished and really grateful that we can flip the switch so to speak with both of you here. Uh, thank you Jonathan
2:55Guliver, your team at MASTOP for the work you're doing, DCR for hosting us, and certainly Secretary Ang for the work you're doing every day to make sure we're thinking about infrastructure and acting to build infrastructure we can be proud of. I think this project um has has certainly been decades in the making. For years, the Brager Bridge has faithfully um served its purpose. It was built in 1966. It's a type of
3:17infrastructure that serves an important community need, and we knew that the lights needed to be modernized. The lights I think were first done in 1986, the whole lighting installation that was there. So, they also needed to be upgraded. And tonight, we're here to mark the completion of this project, but it really is about much more than just new lights. It's a celebration of what happens when we invest in
3:37infrastructure, in public safety, and in civic pride. This bridge is uh the main way that people travel over the Taton River every day. Over 90,000 cars travel on this bridge. It connects families, businesses workers students and visitors between Fall River and Somerset. I had the good fortune to live in Somerset for a little while. I'm a Navy brat. I was in Newport, Rhode Island, and my father was deployed
3:59there, and then for a brief time, we lived in Somerset, Mass. I know it serves as a gateway to the South Coast.
4:04It stands as a symbol of the region's identity, resilience, and continued growth. It's iconic, and I can't wait to see it lit up. Projects like this also remind us that when we invest in infrastructure, we improve reliability.
4:16We can enhance safety. They're important navigational aids both for the for the the sky, the FAA, and for the harbor that this bridge will serve. We can also create public spaces. Think about being out on this patio on a nicer day uh with the bridge lit up and the opportunity to really show some civic pride. I really want to thank the dedicated engineers at Mastop, the designers, the contractors,
4:36the electricians, the inspectors, and all the staff involved in ensuring this bridge project gets up and running.
4:42These infrastructure improvements definitely require partnership and again the legislative delegation has just been dogged in their determination to make sure it was funded, to make sure it got done and that it got done right. So we're pleased to be able to fully illuminate this bridge uh for the very first time. So you're part of history, everybody who's in this room. What you'll see though is more than a
5:01lighting display. It's a reminder that we invest in infrastructure. We invest in people, in our communities, and our future. So thank you for being part of this. looking forward to flipping the switch and showcasing what this beautiful bridge looks like at night lit up.
5:20All right. Thank you, Lieutenant Governor. So, our next speaker is the interim masdot secretary in MBTA GM Philang. And Secretary Yang is has built a distinguished career in transportation with extensive experience across rail, transit, and highway systems. Uh he's also no stranger to the South Coast. And I I will say maybe it's something about when the two of us get together, but we
5:41bring a lot of bad weather. I think the last time you were both down here, there was a blizzard, so we're uh thankfully there's no snow, but there's there's certainly plenty of rain here today. Uh so please join me in welcoming Interim Secretary Phil to the podium.
5:57Well, good evening. Thank you, Jonathan.
5:59It truly is a pleasure to be here with everyone tonight. Uh Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Senator Rodri, Rep. Fola, and Mayor Coogan. um and and all of you here.
6:08Um it's such a beautiful evening despite the weather when we have a chance to celebrate um bringing a different life to the Brager Bridge in recognition of its 60th year in service. And I I can't thank enough Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their leadership and continued support as we're renewing and modernizing transportation infrastructure across the entire Commonwealth. But right here
6:33tonight in Fall River, um we celebrate the lighting of a local transportation icon. Every day, as LG said, the Brager Bridge carries approximately 90,000 vehicles a day across the Tarton River.
6:45This includes school buses, public safety vehicles, ambulances, trucks with millions of dollars in goods and services. All the things that are so vital to the economy of a community and the municipality that we serve. It's a critical part of the transportation infrastructure and the economy of South Coast and Massachusetts. The Braa Bridge also saves people and businesses countless hours every year as it
7:08provides reliable and quick access connecting the south coast over what was available.
7:15And just a few steps from here, you can see the completion of the Deval Street project, which will open up uh which opened up 20 over 20 acres of land to for economic development for the city that will bring new opportunities u that really will create jobs, support the economy and just really continue to do what everyone here is so proud of uh what Fall River represents to each and
7:37every one of you. These two projects thanks to the leadership of the governor, lieutenant governor and the support of the leaders in the legislature like the senator Rodri's Raphaela and along with Mayor Coogan the city leadership represents an exciting future for Fall River. The bridge stands as a beacon of Fall River's vitality and the opening of the Bal Street land which is a once in a-lifetime generation
7:59opportunity for economic development and open more green space to the public to enhance the city's quality of life for all of you. I often say that transportation is a network because everything is connected and here in Fall River it's connected in a way that really means a very exciting future for everyone. I have no doubt the people of Fall River will make the most of this opportunity. After all, this is a city
8:20that's been built on the most protect productive textile mills in the country and built a bridge that has withstand the test of time with over 60 years of service. This city knows something about hard work and renewal. So tonight we celebrate more than a bridge and more than new lights. We're celebrating the future of Fall River. And every night as you look at the bridge glowing against
8:41against the sky, I hope you know that it stands as a testament to the past and to the future of this great city and its great people. So thank you for inviting me here tonight and let allowing me to celebrate with each and every one of you on this special evening.
8:56Back to you.
9:01All right. Thank you, Secretary. Our next speaker is Senator Michael Rodri, who hails from neighboring Westport and is the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which means that we work with him a lot on a lot of different budget issues, and he's been very busy uh these last couple of months. Uh having testified before him a number of times on budget issues over the years, I can attest that the senator
9:21is an unyielding advocate for the South Coast. He brings his priorities and voices of the communities he represents to the state house each and every day.
9:29And the senator also understands the vital role that transportation and infrastructure plays in the regional region's success. He has been a strong supporter of many of the projects that we've delivered here, including the lighting project from its inception and really make sure that the south coast remains a priority for the Commonwealth's capital program. Please join me in welcoming Michael Rodick.
9:50Thank you.
9:53Good evening everyone. And it's great to be here with Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary A, Highway Administrator Guliver, Mia Coogan, Representative Fiola, but most of all with all of you, especially these youngsters here in the front row. You know, I was probably about your age when I remember sitting at this waterfront watching them tow the battleship Massachusetts up the river to anchor it
10:15here uh in in Fall River. It's a memory that I remains with me today and this memory I hope will remain uh with you when uh you're my age and you said I remember when they lit uh the Braggger Bridge but I often refer to Battleship Massachusetts and the Braggger Bridge as Fall River Statue of Liberty. It's what when people drive into the city is what they see. It's the impression that they
10:39have as they enter the city. And by lighting this bridge today, it truly will be the beacon of welcome to everyone coming uh to visit uh this city. Um and just reflect on how much work that we've all put into opening this great waterfront. One of the one of the most important assets that the city of Fall River has uh this waterfront and it started with the demolition and reconstruction of the so-called
11:03spaghetti ramps uh the off-ramps and on-ramps onto the Brager Bridge. the demolition of uh Route 79, transforming it into this beautiful uh parkway. Uh and it's going to continue with all the development that's going to happen here on this waterfront for you to enjoy all of your lives. So, thank you all for being here with us this evening.
11:31All right. Thank you, Senator. And up next is Representative Carol Fiola, who like Senator Rodri has been a steadfast advocate for the Fall River Area. As chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, the representative understands how transformational investments work together to strengthen a community and she is somebody who is a steadfast supporter of Fall REA Fall River. it the
11:53passenger rail service returning to the to the area, the reconstruction of the Route 79 Deval Street corridor and the activation of this new bridge lighting system are all part of a broader vision for the city's future and it's something that the representative has been central in making sure that it goes off without a hitch. In fact, she convened a meeting last week with I believe it was 28 people involved
12:14representative to make sure that we had everybody that we needed to on the line to make sure that this night got done the right way. So, please welcome join me in welcoming Representative Carol Fiola to the podium.
12:27Thank you, Secretary. Wow, this is a great night and uh certainly wish it was not raining and it uh we could be outside and maybe we can go outside and take a peek. Those of you who are brave, but thank you, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary A, Secretary Guliviver, my good colleague, Senator Rodri, and our partner, Mayor Coogan. Um if only you knew how these things get done. It takes
12:51a long time and u we deserve this. You know, I tell people when they ask me uh every day, you know, what are the lights on the bridge and how much did that cost and they've got all the answers and it was part of a bigger project. Uh but I tell people that yes, we can educate our young people in our budgets and we can take care of the homeless as we do
13:11because this is who we are and we can um take care of issues like substance use disorder and develop things and have nice things. We can do all of that and that is what a healthy vibrant community does. It takes care of all of these areas and as you can see as has been spoken about by everyone here. Um we have been working on this for a long time. Uh 30 years in the making all of
13:35this um we are impatient people in the year the age of social media. We want things quick but they don't they don't happen quick. It's a process and these lights are an example as well. And I remember I think Peter Daly is here and he was my very first legislative aid. I was a new rep coming in and people had said to me, "Hey, the Zikum Bridge is lit. Oh, the Mount Hope Bridge is lit.
13:56How come Fall River doesn't have a lit bridge?" And um yeah, that was 13 almost 13 years ago. And tonight we sit here and um and we will have a beautiful um beacon overlooking our waterfront and our city that you can all feel proud about. Um, a couple of ground rules though. I just want to say so everybody knows um and and first I just want to say and thank you to the Healey Driscoll
14:20administration because um they made sure that we could be here tonight and get this done. So um people ask me this and I'm kind of like the been been sort of a point person on this. Um there is a schedule the state keeps. It's on mass.gov bridge lighting of of different lighting the nights different nights of different colors. For example, nurses night, it might be a different color.
14:43Pancreatic cancer month, there'll be a color. And that's operated all out of Boston. So, don't call me and ask me to change the lights. Tomorrow for your mother's birthday. I wish I could, but I couldn't. I can't. Matter of fact, they wouldn't even give me the cell number of the guy who does the programming because they knew I would be incessant, but there was a process. So, uh, there was a
15:02schedule. And so, on nights that there is not a particular event being lit, it will be blue. It will be blue. And on a night that there is some event being uh celebrated, you'll see it change. Uh the mayor has also offered in his office to look through the requests that have come through for government center. You know, hey, we'd like you to like Government Center for XYZ. I I can I come to mind
15:25Maddox, a young boy who was killed, died all too soon of cancer. would you like government center red for maddox or so we're going to look at all those requests and then package them up that fall river has made and make sure if they're not already dates that are covered we're going to send them up and put them through the process because there is one um and uh we'll do that but
15:43um I I couldn't be prouder today uh because um overlooking this incredible waterfront if those of you were down here for the 4th of July you saw thousands and thousands of families I came down just to see the people coming down from out of town, from Fall River, from everywhere enjoying this beautiful event that the mayor's office put on with three stages and food trucks and it was just beautiful. And so, um, yes, we
16:11hoped it could be done for the Fourth of July. It just didn't work. Okay. But moving forward, we have this beautiful, um, beautiful lighting. So, I hope you enjoy it. I know the program is nervous making sure that we uh, uh, got this right, but uh, um, thank you for coming.
16:27Thank you for understanding that. Um even those lights on the bridge um I think Charles Brager who that bridge is named after who was killed at Paul Pearl Harbor at a very young age uh we celebrate and honor his memory and tonight we'll begin lighting up in his memory and uh thank you for being here tonight.
16:52Thank you representative. All right, last but not least, a man whose career in public service has taken him from the classroom to the school committee and now to the mayor's office. And during his tenure as the city's chief executive, Mayor Coogan has distinguished himself as a municipal leader who pays attention to details, brings urgency to the issues at hand and consistently works to ensure Fall Rivers continues
17:13progress and momentum. And I can say firsthand, I know he knows how to use a shovel. We were there with him when he did. So, uh, to say more, please welcome join me in welcoming Mayor Coogan to give a few remarks.
17:29Uh, first of all, I too want to thank uh, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Representative Fiola, Senator Rogers, Secretary Yang, and John Guller from the DOT to help us put this on tonight. Um, I Carol kind of stole my thunder because I wanted us to remember what we're focused on here. The Braggger Bridge is the gateway to Massachusetts for hundreds of thousands of people every year. And they drive over the Braggger
17:54Bridge. But do they ever pause to think that this was the first Fall River resident killed in World War II at Pearl Harbor at 22? He never came home. He never went over the bridge. He's not here for the uh lighting of the bridge, but it is an honor to him and these young folks should look at it. At the same time, there was always always controversy about lighting this bridge.
18:17But let's get real, folks. The the Zikum Bridge is lit. The Longfellow Bridge is lit. The Four River Bridge is lit. The Burns Bridge is lit. And when we are from Fall River, if they got it, we want it. Let's light this bridge tonight to heck with them. This is going to look great. Thanks for coming out.
18:406 5 4 3 2 1 go.
18:57Heat.