Press Release: 3/17/2026

Dudley secures the $1.3 million in state funding needed to reopen the Mill Race Bridge

Press ReleasesPosted on March 16, 2026 | Last Updated on March 16, 2026

𝐃𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 $1.3 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞



A temporary bridge to reopen the Brandon Road/Hill Street crossing over the French River on the Dudley and Webster town line has been fully funded by the state’s “millionaires’ tax” and FAIR Program funds.



Work will begin this spring.



The two-bridge crossing was constructed in 1937 and closed indefinitely in 2021 causing headaches for businesses and motorists seeking to bypass traffic congestion on Main Street in Webster.



In June 2021, MassDOT ordered the crossing closed when a dry bridge on the Dudley side, known as the Mill Race Bridge, was deemed unsafe.



Dudley Town Administrator Jonathan Ruda then launched what became years of appeals to federal and state legislators to secure special funding and grants to reopen the roads. 



Working with MassDOT and the town’s engineering consultant Tighe & Bond, a plan was developed to install a temporary “Acrow” modular bridge that would be borrowed from MassDOT until a permanent bridge could be installed. 



Work ensued to demolish the unsafe structure and ensure the temporary bridge project would be shovel-ready, while Mr. Ruda continued to pursue funding to cover the $1.3 million cost.



It was announced in July 2025 that local legislators state Sen. Ryan Fattman, state Rep. John Marsi and state Rep. Joseph D. McKenna had secured $600,000 from the state’s “millionaires’ tax” funds toward reopening the bridge.



At the time, Mr. Ruda said the town was planning to use a large portion of its state Chapter 90 funds to bridge the funding gap.



“I wasn’t happy about it, but short of asking voters to approve a tax increase to pay for the rest of the project, we were stuck,” Mr. Ruda said.



In a February 27, 2026, letter to MassDOT, Mr. Ruda wrote , “Without additional assistance, the Town would be required to use a substantial portion of its Chapter 90 roadway allocation to fund the remaining balance. Doing so would significantly limit the Town's ability to address roadway maintenance, repair, and infrastructure improvements across multiple locations throughout the community. The Town therefore respectfully requests FAIR Program assistance in the amount of $758,586 to complete the funding necessary to advance this project.”



MassDOT responded favorably.



In a March 16, 2026, letter District Highway Director Barry Lorion wrote, “Through the FAIR Program, the community will receive $758,586 in additional funding beyond the $600,000 Fair Share supplemental transportation earmark authorized in December 2025, for a total funding commitment of $1,358,586.”



“The Town appreciates the help from our local legislators and MassDOT, and I’m especially thankful to Representative Marsi for supporting Dudley’s request for the release of additional funding from the FAIR Program,” Mr. Ruda said.



The Funding for Accelerated Infrastructure Repair (FAIR) program is funded by “Fair Share” (millionaire’s tax) revenue to repair, replace, and rehabilitate municipal-owned bridges. 



The proposed permanent solution for the overpass is still years away. It would eliminate the Mill Race Bridge by re-grading the area to replicate its primary purpose, which was flood control.