New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Faces Second Straight Shutdown

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — For the second straight day, the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge is shutting down because of the hot weather.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced this morning that the swing bridge would be closed to vehicular traffic from 12:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. due to high temperatures. The bridge will remain in the “open” position to allow for marine traffic to pass through.

After 5 p.m., the bridge will reopen to vehicles, and MassDOT said detours will be in place until then.

It marks the second straight day that the heat forced a shutdown of the bridge. On Tuesday, New Bedford’s record-setting 100-degree weather forced its closure, because the metal mechanics of the bridge swell in high heat, making it difficult for the bridge to open and close properly.

Temperatures on Tuesday are expected to peak out at around 90 degrees and then drop down to the low 80s by 5 p.m.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell addressed the bridge closures Wednesday morning in his weekly appearance on WBSM.

“Yet another reminder that thing needs to be replaced,” Mitchell said. “We’re going to continue to push MassDOT to expedite that project as fast as possible.”