Meeting over bridge to Long Island prompts push back by some Quincy natives

DORCHESTER, Mass. — It was a contentious meeting in Dorchester on Monday regarding a proposed new bridge to Boston’s Long Island.

Peggy Ronan, a native of Squantum, is worried about all the vehicles coming and going.

"I'm more concerned about the traffic because that’s my main priority," Ronan said.

There was great support for the bridge and the idea to put a recovery campus out there to help deal with the opioid crisis. However, the one Quincy politician who showed up said it's not the right place.

"The money could be well spent in a different location," said Bill Harris, a member of the Quincy City Council. "As someone mentioned, closer to hospitals."

"You guys have already got your minds made up about the bridge," Ronan said to officials at the meeting. "There was no input prior."

Related: Boston plans to use barges from Southie to rebuild Long Island Bridge

The concern again is traffic, but Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said, since the bridge closed, the homeless program has been relocated – and that will reduce traffic.

"A lot of these programs are not going back to the island," Mayor Walsh said. "We have a new delivery systems when it comes to homelessness."

Some Quincy residents expressed support for the project. However, many are wary, especially as a meeting set for Monday night in North Quincy was moved to Dorchester.

Despite some reservations by those in the city, Mayor Walsh hopes to work with Quincy.

“We want to make sure that they hear there’s no intrusion on their property other than having a recovery campus out there,” the mayor said.

Cox Media Group