Rt 79 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10 28 26

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.

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