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H 4723

An Act designating a certain bridge in the town of Chelmsford as the Ferreira Brothers Bridge

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 4 co-sponsors

Designates Gorham Street overpass (C-08-039) on I-495 in Chelmsford as the Ferreira Brothers Bridge; MassDOT must install and maintain signage honoring the Ferreira brothers.

Read; and referred to the committee on Senate Rules
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4723

Summary: H 4723 — An Act designating a bridge in Chelmsford as the Ferreira Brothers Bridge

Purpose and intent

This bill would designate a specific bridge in Chelmsford—Gorham Street (ST3A) overpass, identified by MassDOT as bridge number C-08-039 and spanning Interstate 495—as the “Ferreira Brothers Bridge.” The designation honors three members of the Ferreira family (John C. Ferreira, Manuel C. Ferreira, and Anthony C. Ferreira) for their service and contributions to the United States armed forces and to the town of Chelmsford.

Key provisions

  • The Gorham Street overpass (ST3A) over I-495 in Chelmsford shall be officially named the Ferreira Brothers Bridge.
  • The designation applies to the bridge identified by MassDOT as C-08-039.
  • The MassDOT Highway Division is required to erect and maintain appropriate signage bearing the designated name, in compliance with the division’s standards.

Affected parties and scope

  • Primary beneficiaries: Residents and commuters in Chelmsford and users of Gorham Street and I-495 who encounter the bridge.
  • MassDOT (specifically the Highway Division): Responsible for erecting and maintaining the markers/signage.
  • The Ferreira family: Recognized for their service contributions.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: October 15, 2025.
  • Early actions: Referred to House Rules (Oct. 15, 2025); subsequently moved through Joint Rules and to the Transportation Committee.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for December 10, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-2.
  • Legislative actions timeline shows concurrent Senate actions (Senate concurrence noted on November 6, 2025) and related committee referrals.
  • Related bill: HD 5231 (appears as a related docket/replace option for the same designation effort).

Fiscal and operational notes

  • No explicit cost figures are stated in the bill.
  • The designation entails signage installation and ongoing maintenance by MassDOT, consistent with standard procedures for honorary bridge designations. No changes to traffic laws or road ownership are contemplated.

Summary of impact

  • Functionally, the bill creates an honorary naming right for a specific bridge and directs MassDOT to install and maintain signs reflecting the Ferreira Brothers designation.
  • It recognizes local history and military service, with minimal disruption to current infrastructure or transportation policy.

For readers seeking more detail, the bill text identifies Gorham Street overpass (C-08-039) as the designated site and names the three Ferreira brothers as the honorees.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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