On December 14, 2007, at the urging of Friends’ President Brian Yates, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)  announced that they will install new interim chain link fencing to replace the deteriorated snow fencing along the existing railings at Echo Bridge. It necessitated brief closure of the bridge. Click here to read the press release.

In early January, the interim fencing was in place. It is a substantial improvement over the snow fencing. As you can see the fencing is black and the open mesh allows one to see the original railings, which are still in place.

The Newton Tab had an article in late 2007 on the problem of funding the Bridge repairs and restoration. Click here to read it.

Another story in the Globe on July 26, 2007. Click here to see it.

Here are some photos of the interim railings taken in January, 2008, together with a few photos by the webmaster of Hemlock Gorge in Winter.

The interim railings are black, and the open mesh allows one to see the original railings.

From some angles, the fencing is more opaque.

This shows how the posts for the interim railing were installed in concrete pads resting on the the bridge walkway.

Looking at the shadow of the bridge on the frozen river.

The new fencing and some of the old railing covered with what looks like rust inhibiting paint.

This shows more clearly the new fencing in front of the old railings.

The webmaster on the Bridge.

The new footbridge and Ken Newcomb memorial bench at the center.

The silk mill and dam in winter.

The silk mill in a 16:9 (HDTV-style) image.

Looking downstream in a 16:9 image.

Another 16:9 image