PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The state will replace two structurally unsound bridges on South Street in a couple of years, possibly resulting in a brief closure of the main route.

Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation held a 25 percent design hearing for the  $18.5 million project.  It will replace deteriorating bridges that carry South Street over the Housatonic Railroad and Housatonic River. 

"Please keep in mind that the project we are presenting to you tonight is still in the design stage," Project Manager Harry Adolphe told a handful of community members.

The project, which is funded 80 percent federally and 20 percent by the state, covers an area of about 1,760 feet from Cole Avenue to just south of Taylor Street.

One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open for most of the construction, but a short-term detour may be needed. Traffic would be directed down Crofut Street to Pomeroy Avenue and then to Holmes Road, a nearly six-mile redirect.

Pedestrian access will be retained through temporary foot bridges.

David Sutherland, president of Dettinger Lumber, expressed traffic safety concerns near the project area.  The scope of work includes widening the roadways and new accessible pedestrian signals at the Gamwell intersection.

The new bridges will have two 11-foot travel lanes, two 5-foot shoulders/bike lanes with 2-foot buffers, and two at least 5-foot-wide sidewalks.