Special senate election candidates came to Chelsea for their first major get together – a rousing nearly two hour debate in front of a packed audience inside the city council chamber Tuesday night at city hall.

The event was hosted by the Chelsea Collaborative and moderated by Representative Gene O’Flaherty.

At times rousing and contentious – at times slow and sure – the event tended to galvanize the growing interest in this campaign, which is over in 34 days.

The effort to replace disgraced former Senator Anthony Galluccio, who is now serving a jail sentence for violating probation stipulations, was a resounding success, with most of the audience remaining in place throughout the exchanges between the candidates.

Nearly all the candidates answered all the question with varying degrees of success while some candidates took swings at other candidates in an attempt to define their positions on various subjects.

Attorney Dennis Benzan, Attorney Tim Flaherty, Cambridge City Councillor Denise Simmons, Everett City Councillor Sal DiDomenico, Chelsea’s Michel Albano, John Sisson and Charlestown attorney Dan Hill each gave renditions of their own narratives as they answered questions about creating jobs, stopping violent crime, aiding those being foreclosed upon, protecting the environment, insuring public safety, and whether in state tuition rates should be afforded to undocumented students.

Benzan delivered greetings to the crowd in Spanish and English.

“Who’s going to tell the story of families losing their homes?” he asked. “It is your story and I am going to tell it,” he promised.

“I believe government can do better. I want to create jobs. I want to improve the quality of public school education and I want to ensure the safety of our streets,” Flaherty said.

Simmons said she was a good office holder in a world where the office is only as good as the person who serves in it. “I want the opportunity to advocate for you,” she added.

DiDomenico said he was like everyone else.

“I’m one of you. I identify with your struggle. We need jobs. We need to improve education. We need more affordable health care. We need to work on local aid numbers. I want to be an advocate … your advocate,” he said.

Albano’s narrative was angrier than the others.

“Our economy and our government are a mess. We need change … we need it now. I’m a progressive. Progressives stand up for what they believe in even if it is unpopular, Albano said.

John Sisson, the Independent candidate started out by telling the crowd, “I’m not a lawyer. I have many bills like everyone else. He seemed to say he understood everyone’s plight.

And there was Charlestown’s Attorney Dan Hill: “I’m the true outsider. Voters have become increasingly disillusioned by the skewered policies of our elected public officials.

Nearly all the candidates answered affirmatively on all eight questions that were asked.

All the candidates believed young adults should be tried as adults if they had committed violent crimes.

Flaherty cleverly turned the question into a possible new movement.

“Young people should be diverted from the criminal justice system. We need crime prevention in order to keep children out of the court system,” Flaherty said.

Indeed.

When asked how to stem the rising tide of home foreclosures Di Domenico replied: “We need to go right to the source as we did in our senate office. We need to go after the predatory lenders.

Flaherty agreed.

“We need to make mortgage brokers responsible for what they do. They must be regulated.

“The state still has money available. We should go to local community banks and urge them to do their part,” said Flaherty.

Albano considered foreclosure a waste but not a crime.

“Government needs to be there for the people,” he said.

The question of whether or not in-state college tuition should be given to undocumented residents caused a battle between Benzan and DiDomenico.

DiDoMenico did not directly answer the question except to say that it was one more step in the direction to citizenship.

Flaherty said yes. “Its good economics.”

A total of eight questions were asked, including three that came from the audience.

On the matter of the undocumented, tax paying workers being allowed to register for driving licenses, nearly everyone agreed: by giving the undocumented drivers licenses, they become documented.

A short time after that question was asked, Albano delivered perhaps the most compelling soliloquy of the night relating to laws against foreclosure and predatory lending, licenses for the undocumented, greater efforts with public education and keeping the streets free of addictive drugs.

“Why don’t we have any of this? These are good ideas. Why are they not acted on, on Beacon Hill. We need so much now. We need everything right now. What the heck is going on?” he asked.

First, this is a contest being waged against three main contenders – and of that number, two are locked in the battle more so than the third, who is gaining in recognition.

Attorney Tim Flaherty scored a hit in the debate. He was senatorial in every way. He answered all the questions absolutely with firmness and he was at all times unambiguous about where he stood. He used a every second allotted to him and never went over – and at all times, his answers were clear and unequivocal, informative and well thought out.

Bottom line – he looked and felt like the next senator.

In addition, Flaherty supporters mobbed the outside of city hall before the event. Signs do not vote but Flaherty had more of them than DiDomenico and Albano combined. He also has more money to spend than either of the others.

Everett City Councillor Sal DiDomenico is one of the two main contenders. Even though his people didn’t come out to the extent that Flaherty’s did, there was still a pretty solid and frankly impressive crowd of sign holders

His performance although not quite as pretty or assertive as Flaherty’s, was well done and he kept to his own beliefs, even if they weren’t popular with the crowd inside the Chelsea Council Chamber. DiDomenico has come to appear like the guy who knows what to do on Beacon Hill because he’s already been working there. He didn’t use anger as a crutch and he was knowledgeable about all the questions asked, although not as eloquent as the others.

Albano spoke with great passion and intelligence. His deep and distinct voice was mesmerizing and for many people inside the hall, Albano seemed a bit like someone from Hollywood’s Central Casting studio.

Each time he spoke people listened. Each time he spoke his voice was like great music – compelling and rich, resonating throughout the hall.

He asked why things on Beacon Hill can’t change – and he did it in such a way that others were left wondering, why can’t things change?

Albano showed some force outside of the city hall before the event with a few dozen sign holders.

This senate seat special election race has about 34 days remaining.

It is an impossibly short time for the candidates to mount meaningful campaigns, or to create a district wide campaign apparatus or to raise money.

Flaherty, it appears, will be able to raise more money than DiDomenico and Albano.

Advantage Flaherty.

Advertising leading to wider name recognition and visibility among voters throughout the sprawling district is absolutely necessary.

Looking and sounding senatorial carries its own benefit.

Flaherty, DiDomenico and Albano are all very different candidates and bring different levels of recognition to the table.

Despite rumors of polling done by DiDomenico apparently showing him way ahead, Flaherty’s name recognition throughout the district should not be underestimated.

For polling to be useful, it must have cost at least $15,000 to do throughout the district. Otherwise, polling is useless for the purpose of the sake of reality.

Albano has only 34 days remaining to catch up in order to score.

This is much easier said than done.

Advantage Flaherty-DiDomenico.

This election will be one by the candidate working the hardest and smartest; whose advertising outdoes all others; and whose message and ability to get out the vote on Election Day surpasses all the others.

Who is that person?

I’m not sure but I know it will be between Flaherty, DiDomenico and Albano if all things are equal.

But they rarely are.

Senator Michael Knapik, the leader of the anti Bunker Hill Day voices – from the western part of the state – while debating with Gene O’Flaherty last year the bill that nearly ended the holidays- went a bit too far.

“Isn’t it a wee bit of a coincidence that March 17 is Evacuation Day and that it is the same day as the Feast of St. Patrick and isn’t this symbolic of good old fashioned Boston politics,” Knapik said while testifying before the Judiciary Committee last year.

It was an overt anti-Irish type expression that raised more than a few eyebrows including those of O’Flaherty and South Boston Senator Jack Hart.

Fast forward to last week’s discussions about the holidays with Senator Knapik once again appearing before O’Flaherty.

“I respectfully asked Knapik to be considerate and not to mimic the Irish accent and brogue my father spoke while debating the point before the Judiciary Committee.

He was very senatorial,” said O’Flaherty.

“When the testimony began and his assertions were being questioned, he began to get a bit testy,” O’Flaherty told the Chelsea Record.

“He didn’t want to compromise in order to save the history of those holidays,” he added.

Knapik, according to O’Flaherty once again called the holidays hack holidays, resulting in Hart and Knapik going at it.

“Should we also put Patriots Day into the brew to save more money?” Knapik was asked.

“Do you wish to suggest that we get rid of Patriots Day, also?” Hart asked him.

He remained quiet.

For the time being, the bill to end the Suffolk County holidays remains on the table in the Judiciary Committee headed by O’Flaherty.

It is likely that bill will remain there in perpetuity.

You do something really special in a big game – like scoring a hat trick – and then you open up your Globe and your Herald the next day and there are your personal quotes and a photo of you celebrating a goal.

Sabrina Iannetti, come on down and enjoy the post-season spotlight because you’ve earned it. The two-time Catholic Central League All-Star and St. Mary’s High School junior scored three goals and had one assist as St. Mary’s defeated Hingham, 4-3, in the Division 1 state semifinals Saturday at Stoneham Arena.

With her team trailing a by a goal and its 75-game unbeaten streak in jeopardy, Iannetti went Great Gretzky-ish and personally carried the Lady Spartans home.

By the time she was done with her spectacular three-goal effort, the Spartans were back in the lead – and its defense helped seal the win and ensure another trip to the TD Garden for a shot at a third consecutive Division 1 state championship.

Head coach Frank Pagliuca, leader of the St. Mary’s girls hockey dynasty, said Iannetti was “the best player on the ice” in the showdown with Hingham.

“Sabrina really elevated her game and stepped up tremendously,” said Pagliuca. “It was nice to see her elevate her game to the level at which she’s capable of playing. ”

The 16-year-old daughter of former Chelsea residents Stephen and Denise Iannetti of Lynn, Sabrina is in her fifth season in the St. Mary’s hockey program. Pagliuca recalled Iannetti’s days as a seventh grader playing for the St. Mary’s varsity.

“I remember when she was in seventh grade, her hockey jersey went down to her knees and she was out there skating around,” said Pagliuca. “It’s been nice to see her grow as a young lady on and off the ice and develop into an excellent hockey player and great person.”

A speedy, 5-foot-4-inch skater and adept stick handler whose nickname is “Beans,” Sabrina said she wasn’t nervous when her team fell behind Hingham, 3-2.

“We kept our composure. We were just really angry but we kept going and pulled out the victory,” said Sabrina, who skates on a line with Courtney White and Alison Butler.

Iannetti is looking forward to a return trip to the TD Garden. St. Mary’s defeated Woburn, 1-0, in last year’s state final and the Tanners will be the opponent once again. Though she has her sights on playing college hockey one day, Iannetti is thinking only about doing her best to make it a successful farewell for the seniors on the team.

“It’s a good feeling after a long season to be back in the Garden,” said Iannetti. “We want to win it for the seniors. I’ve been on the team since seventh grade so I’ve known some of them like Erin McAndrews and Liz Giacchino for five years.”

We regard this strategy as dangerous and way out of bounds.

We believe the consideration of such a flimsy choice protocol at the beginning of a Charter Review process, bodes ill for what might come to follow if such a process were agreed upon.

Picking random names out of a hat to fill Charter Review positions is ill conceived and ill advised. Everything about such a process cries out as not being what it ought to be.

Can the councilors or anyone else around here imagine how it would be for any of us to choose our doctors this way as part of our health care packages?

Or how would it be to have a college entrance policy that depended on random names being pulled randomly out of a hat?

How about hiring our police and firefighters with such a selection process?

That such a policy could even be considered by a committee yet to be convened is a devastating thought for many of us who believe that Chelsea’s success today is closely attached to a protocol that requires in depth judgment and high moral and legal standing to be considered before any changes are made in the legal document by which this city is construed to run itself.

The process of choosing members of the Charter Review Committee must remain almost as sacred as the choices that will ultimately be made.

This is a city that collapsed under the weight of pervasive public corruption and moral, social and economic bankruptcy.

It is an easy step to fall back to that wretched place that nearly ruined the city by bringing it to a moment when it could not pay its schoolteachers and the state sent Chelsea into receivership.

The present city Charter is not a perfect document.

Some changes are needed and necessary.

The Charter Review Committee to be named cannot be made up of random citizens whose names are picked out of a hat.

There can be nothing random about government here.

There can be nothing so ill conceived for an important Charter Review process as random choice selection.

Those who serve on this committee must know about the city, its laws, its finances, and they must be qualified to be chosen and to serve.

A lot hangs in the balance with the creation of the Charter Review Committee.

We urge the selection committee to explore more meaningful choice selections than pulling names out of a hat.

Doing so would be a crime – and in a way – it would mark the beginning of the end of the success that has been achieved in recent decades.

Edgar Gonzalez, 20, 143 Columbia Rd., Boston, was arrested for distribution of Class A drug.

Michel Thomas, 36, 40 Jones Ave., Chelsea, was arrested for shoplifting.

Alicia French, 25, 50 Parker St., Chelsea, was arrested for assault and battery.

Limary Moreno, 26, 62 Chester Ave., Chelsea, was arrested on a warrant.

William Cryer, 28, Court St., Boston, was arrested on a warrant.

Wednesday, March 3

Clifford Kenny Sr., 60, 19 Guam Rd., Chelsea, was arrested for unlicensed taxi cab business.

Alicia French, 25, 50 Parker St., Chelsea, was arrested for violating abuse prevention order.

Thursday, March 4

Sstephen Cucchiello, 47, 162 Bellingham St., Chelsea, was arrested for assault and battery.

Son Thanh Nguyen, 41, 44 Nelson St., Lynn, was arrested on a warrant.

Jaime Hernandez, 40, 430 Adam St., Dorchester, was arrested on a warrant and evading taxi fare.

Friday, March 5

Antonio Perez Villanueva, 50, 16 Hooper St., Chelsea, was arrested for in possession of Class A drug, in possession of Class E drug.

Mary Munier, 34, 23 Malden St., Other, MA, was arrested on multiple warrants and being common nightwalker.

Ageu Menezes, 28, 16 Beecham St., Everett, was arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery, assault on a pregnant person, assault with a dangerous weapon.

Maicon Peroni, 26, 34 Linden St., Peabody, was arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery, assault on a pregnant person, assault with a dangerous weapon.

Saturday, March 6

Christopher Hartwell, 28, 24 Worcester Rd., Sharon, was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor.

William Ratcliffe, 41, 32 Annese Rd., Chelsea, was arrested for assault and battery.

Normand Michaud, 54, 18 Emerson St., Boston, was arrested for indecent exposure.

Lisa Bowen, 33, 43 High Rock St., Lynn, was arrested for breaking & entering daytime, destruction of property over $250.

Juan Deblas, 64, 365 Meridian St., East Boston, was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor, stop sign violation, reckless operation of motor vehicle, possessing open container of alcohol in motor vehicle, operating motor vehicle with suspended license.

Madeline Rosa, 32, 353 Broadway, Chelsea, was arrested for stop sign violation, operating motor vehicle with suspended license.

Noel Albarado, 34, 9 Fitz Terrace, Chelsea, was arrested for motor vehicle lights violation, operating under the influence of liquor, operation of motor vehicle unlicensed.

Jose Melendez, 18, 323 Spruce St., Chelsea, was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer.

Sunday, March 7

Lisa Kjersgard, 43, 9 Sixth St., Chelsea, was arrested for assault and battery.

Julio Cesar Calderon, 28, 70 Maverick St., Chelsea, was arrested for failure to stop for police, operation of motor vehicle unlicensed, marked lanes violation, resisting arrest.

Derren Molina, 18, 87 Lebanon St., Malden, was arrested for possessing to distribute Class B, carrying dangerous weapon, drug violation near school or park.

Corey Rezendes, 18, 5 John St., Chelsea, was arrested for operation of motor vehicle unlicensed, stop sign violation and on a warrant.

Oscar Flores, 33, 435 Broadway, Chelsea, was arrested for possessing open container of alcohol in public, false name, and multiply felony warrants.

Israel Diaz, 18, 130 Springvale Ave., Chelsea, was arrested for assault and battery.

Kelly Murray, 40, 88-90 Broadway, Chelsea, was arrested for soliciting sex for a fee, assault and battery on a police officer.

North End resident

Flora (Leo) Teele of the North End of Boston died on March 8.

She was 101 years old.

Born in 1909 to Raffaele and Clementina Leo, she was the last surviving sibling. She was the cherished mother of Ralph Teele and his wife, Sheila, of Cottonwood, AZ and Bruce Teele and his wife, Marjorie, of Chelsea; beloved wife of the late Harold Teele of Cambridge; devoted sister of the late Maria Leo, Angelina Gannon, Gaetano, James “Skipper”, Dominic, Emery, Clara Aloise, Ellen DiNunzio, David, Robert “Bobby”, Anna Sergi, and John. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Mann & Rodgers Funeral Home, Jamaica Plain.

Gary Bubluski

Lynn resident

Gary P. Bubluski of Lynn died on March 2.

Born in Brighton and a resident of Lynn for the last 16 years, he passed away early Tuesday morning at the Charitas St. Elizabeths Medical Center at the age of 65.

During his working years, he was employed by Boston College in their maintenance department and later worked for the MBTA as a rail operator on the Green Line, retiring after 11 years of service.

He was the beloved companion of Doreen Bokarvich of Lynn and former husband of Maureen (Venezia) Bubluski of Chelsea; devoted father of Lori Iraola and her husband, Angel, and Sean Bubluski, all of Chelsea; loving brother of Carol Ronkin of Peabody and Janet Bulwer of Revere and cherished grandfather of Alijah, Anthony and Angelesa.

At his request, funeral services were private. To send a message of condolence to his family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Oscar Vega Sr.

Chelsea resident

Oscar Vega Sr. died on March 1 at the Whidden Memorial Hospital. He was 44 years old.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he resided in Chelsea for most of his life. Until his illness made him unable to work, he worked for over 10 years at Mattarazzo Bros. on Beecham Street, maintenance at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, as an installer for Warner Cable and as a self employed carpenter.

He was the husband of Wanda M. Rivera; devoted son of Arcadia Vega and the late Julio Vega; beloved father of Hector Rodriguez of New York, Jesus Rodriguez, David Rodriguez, Jazlyn Rodriguez, Jacklyn Vega-Delmonaco, Oscar Vega, Jr., Anna C. Vega, Anthony Vega, Abraham Vega, Margarita Vega, Amanda Vega and Joshua Vega, all of Boston; loving brother of Nilda Vega, Teresa Vega, Felix Vega, Maria Luisa Vega and Maribel Vega, all of Chelsea, and the late Jose A. Vega; cherished grandfather of Josiah, Nathan, Gabriel, Christopher and Jaylyn Tejeda and Julius, Jacob, Desiree and Giovany Rodriguez.

Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. To send a message of condolence to his family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

William Goldman

Of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea

William Goldman, originally from Chelsea, late of Saugus, formerly of Revere and W. Palm Beach, Florida died on March 5.

The beloved husband for 68 years of the late Frances (Segal), he was the devoted father of Michael and his wife, Eleanor Goldman, Bonita Cohen and her husband, Robert Kolker, and the late Don; loving brother of Ada Bornstein and five deceased siblings; cherished grandfather of five and great-grandfather of six.

Funeral arrangements were by the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel. Burial was at Sharon Memorial Park. Expressions of sympathy may be donated to the American Cancer Society 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701.

Chelsea resident Ashley Rodriguez’s quest to be the next “American Idol” came to end on the popular show last Thursday night.

Rodriguez was one of four contestants who did not advance to the next round. Janell Wheeler, Joe Munoz, and Tyler Grady were also ousted from the Fox Network’s nationally televised singing competition

Many had felt that Rodriguez, a Chelsea High graduate, would be a formidable contender for the crown. Rodriguez had earned the praise of the judges during her singing audition in Boston and her great voice and beautiful stage presence made her one of the consensus favorites heading into the semifinals.

The judges on the show felt that Rodriguez might not have chosen the right song to showcase her talent. Rodriguez sang Leona Lewis’ “Happy” and judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi did not give high marks to Rodriguez for her performance.

Many viewers were surprised that Rodriguez did not advance in the competition. “Ashley was great, she never should have been eliminated,” wrote one viewer on a music industry Web site.

Rodriguez talked about her experience on American Idol during a conference call with the national media Friday.

“American Idol has really shown me that now more than ever I have to fight for what I want,” said Rodriguez. “It was giving me a little taste of the dream and I’m willing to work hard for it, especially now that I’ve got a little glimpse of what this life is like.”

Rodriguez thanked the many people who supported her throughout the American Idol process.

“The fans that I’ve gained in doing the show have been so wonderful from the very beginning and so supportive,” she said. “I’ve seen a few of the messages since being eliminated from the show, and they’re holding on, man, and still so supportive and so loving, and I’m hoping that in the near future I’m going to have an awesome album for them and a great record and they’ll stay fans for a long time.”

Rodriguez said she’ll always remember being a part of a Los Angeles photo shoot for American Idol contestants.

“Our top 24 photo shoot was a blast,” said the22-year-old Rodriguez. “WE walked into this big L.A. shoot and it was just super-glamorous and really exciting, a ton of press, and it was really our opportunity to shine. That’s definitely one of my favorite moments.”

Chelsea City Council President Leo

Robinson said the entire city was rooting for Rodriguez.

“We’re very proud of Ashley Rodriguez,” said City Council President Leo Robinson. “I know I join the residents of Chelsea in congratulating her and thanking her for the tremendous manner in which she represented our city on the American Idol show.”

Robinson said the city will be recognizing Rodriguez’s achievement soon.

“We intend to formally honor Ashley during a future Council meeting,” said Robinson. “Her appearance on American Idol was the beginning of what I believe will be a successful career in the music industry.”

The Chelsea High boys basketball team had their state title aspirations ended by a hot-shooting Reading High School team, 76-66, in the Division 2 North quarterfinals Saturday night at the Sol Nechtem Gymnasium.

Reading guard Trey Jones scored 33 points, with most of his baskets coming from long range. The Reading guards seemed to hit a key jumper whenever Chelsea was poised to make a run.

“We had a good night shooting the basketball,” said Reading coach Paul Morrissey. “There were soft rims, good backdrops. It’s a good place to shoot the ball.”

Chelsea senior guard Cesar Castro was superb in his final game. Despite being closely guarded by Reading players all game, Castro scored 34 points, including 12-for-14 from the free throw line.

“Castro is a great player,” said Morrissey. “He never stops. I thought we did a decent job playing defense.”

Junior Felix Crespo displayed his outside shooting capabilities, finishing with 23 points. Crespo should be one of the top players in the Commonwealth Conference next season. Troy Crossley and Eli Ortiz played well in starting roles for Chelsea. Chelsea’s 6-foot-7-inch center Mark Reddick had some bright moments, but he picked up a couple of early fouls that hindered his playing time.

Senior center Craig Szalkowski and freshman star-of-the-future Sammy Mojica provided a spark off the bench for the Red Devils.

Reading’s long-range accuracy was the difference, according to Chelsea High coach Jay Seigal.

“We knew Reading was a great ballclub but we didn’t anticipate Reading shooting the ball as well as they did,” said Seigal. “Trey Jones was very consistent with his shot, but I thought we played very good defense. They were just very consistent from the outside and tonight they were the better team.”

Castro will leave the program after a sensational four-year career that produced 1,254 points, third all time in school history.

“Cesar carried us and Felix really played a solid game,” said Seigal. “I think our guys left it all out on the court. The other team just played better than we did.”

Castro said the team played hard every game.

“We had a very successful season and I want to wish the returning players good luck next season,” said Castro. “I want to thank all the coaches. Coach Seigal was a great coach for me all four years. I can’t believe my high school career is all over.”

Castro will be making a final appearance for the Red Devils Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Conference All-Star Game at Chelsea High School.

Consultant for the Chelsea Street Bridge project, John Vitagliano, announced that preliminary traffic closures on the bridge will commence in the first week of March.

“This is the start of a four month series of temporary night-time closures from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for a couple of days per week and occasional weekend closures during the same hours,” said Vitagliano. “The weekend closures allow us to shorten this new construction phase by over a month.”

The purpose of this four month construction phase is to provide for the erection of the four large vertical support towers of the new bridge. They are about 200 ft. high and will be shipped up by barge from Florida.

Although there have been some concerns over traffic and rerouting of traffic during bridge construction, Vitagliano assured residents that the project is on schedule and the current bridge would stay open as long as possible during the day to accommodate traffic in and out of East Boston and Chelsea.

“We have made complete arrangements for traffic details with both the East Boston and Chelsea Police Departments to assure expedited traffic flow, and will also provide many directional signs including variable message boards to alternative routes,” said Vitagliano.

The 73-year-old structurally-deficient Chelsea Street Bridge will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art drawbridge.

A few years ago, U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano was able to secure funding for the project in the federal transportation bond bill. In the last two weeks, the federal government granted the state the authority to spend $437.9 million on transportation projects through federal highway funds, with $153.2 million of that funding committed to “shovel-ready” projects.

Last year, the Patrick Administration put the first eight recovery projects out to bid, dedicating an estimated total of approximately $30 million for infrastructure improvements in every region of the state.

The Chelsea Street Bridge was one of these projects.

“The unprecedented economic challenges confronting our Commonwealth have made the mission of government clear – we must secure our common economic future,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Our Massachusetts Recovery Plan will integrate state, federal and private resources so we can deliver immediate relief and long-term solutions. The Chelsea Street Bridge reconstruction is just one way to create and sustain the jobs and the opportunities that will move our people and our economy forward once again.”

The Chelsea Street Bridge project involves the replacement with a truss-type structure that spans 450 feet and will provide 175 feet of vertical clearance when raised. The new bridge and approach roadway match the footprint of the existing bridge and will provide for four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) and two pedestrian sidewalks. Approach roadways will be reconstructed to meet existing local streets and a complete warning signal and gate system is included in the project.

The project will address long-standing issues caused by the narrow passageway used by oil tankers that resulted in accidents. Since 1972, there have been 133 incidents in which ships, tugs or barges have struck the bridge. The new bridge has an environmental as well as a safety component, as the reduced potential for collisions will diminish the threat of oil spills. In June 2000, a tanker collision spilled 50,000 gallons of fuel oil, closing the waterway and delaying aviation fuel deliveries for three days.

The warning gate and bridge traffic signal operations will be coordinated with the Central Avenue/Marginal Street/Eastern Avenue intersection in Chelsea to control traffic flow during bridge openings.

The state’s contractor on the project is J.F. White Contracting Co. of Framingham. The projected completion date is April 2012. For additional information, please visit www.mass.gov/recovery and www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts.