Bridge to reopen temporarily 5/11 while awaiting repairs. View updates.
Save these dates: Plant Sale 5/11, Art Sale 8/17-18
Decision Made to Open the Span
While Awaiting Repairs
05/05/2024
The Bridge of Flowers, closed at the end of the 2023 season for needed repair work, will reopen on Saturday, May 11, 2024 — annual Plant Sale day.
The bridge was not expected to open this season, but a statewide dearth of bidders on big projects such as this — so much a problem that the state inspector general has been investigating — and an over-budget bid have delayed the start of the work.
Now the Shelburne Falls Fire District, which owns the span, has applied for increased state funding and the Bridge of Flowers Committee has pledged good-faith money to support that request.
While awaiting a resolution, the Bridge of Flowers Committee has decided to open the bridge without fuss to allow folks access. Members ask the public’s understanding that the gardens will not be in top form as most plants have been moved off-site for the duration of the repair work. They will be returned in the 2025 season, when the bridge is expected to reopen fully.
“We want to be good neighbors while we await more information from the engineers and the state,” said Annette Szpila, Bridge of Flowers Committee co-chair. “We also will keep the bridge shovel-ready. Thanks for patience while we try to do the right thing and meet all the needs.”
The popular Plant Sale will take place as usual at the Baptist Lot on the corner of Main and Water streets, rain or shine.
“I am hopeful for beautiful, sunny, spring weather for our plant sale,” said Lynda Leitner, Plant Sale chair and Bridge co-chair. “I know, regardless of the weather, there will be many people there happy with their plants and knowing they have helped to support the Bridge of Flowers.”
Choose from perennial plants grown in Bridge gardens and annuals from local gardens and nurseries, among them the ever-popular geraniums. Featured again this year will be a popular garden-themed tag sale, a bake sale, and soil testing.
Proceeds from the tag and bake sales will go to the Bridge of Flowers Committee’s umbrella organization, the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club, and its scholarship fund.
Proceeds from plant sales benefit the bridge's maintenance, upkeep, and more.
