Mayor Robert Van Campen issued the following statement following the announcement by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that it had approved a $78.7 million to begin the design and future construction of a new pedestrian bridge connecting Assembly Row in Somerville with the Encore Boston Harbor resort/casino in Everett:

“This is an exciting milestone for Everett and a project that will fundamentally change how our residents connect to the region,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen. “For too long, the Mystic River has been a barrier between Everett and our neighboring communities. This bridge will give residents more options to get to work, connect to public transit, and walk or bike instead of sitting in traffic. Building a more connected and sustainable Everett is a priority for my administration, and this project is a major step in that direction.”