New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Closing Overnight on St. Patrick’s Day

NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge is about to undergo some maintenance next week and will be shut down on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), overnight bridge maintenance will take place on the 122-year-old swing bridge from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, through 5 a.m. on Thursday, March 18.

During the repair work, the bridge will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. and left in the open position for marine traffic.

MassDOT is putting into effect the following detours:

– Vehicles approaching from the Fairhaven side will use Main Street to Howland Road (Fairhaven)/Coggeshall Street (New Bedford) to Route 18 southbound to Route 6.

– Vehicles approaching from the New Bedford side will use Route 18 northbound to Coggeshall Street (New Bedford)/ Howland Road (Fairhaven) to Main Street to Route 6.

Secondary detours:

– Vehicles approaching from the Fairhaven side will use Route 240 northbound to I-195 eastbound then to Route 18 southbound to Route 6.

– Vehicles approaching from the New Bedford will take Route 18 northbound to I-195 westbound to Route 240 southbound to Route 6.

Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution, MassDot said. All scheduled work is weather permitting. For more information, dial 511, visit Mass511.com, follow @MassDOT on Twitter or download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app.