Traffic Reported as New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Having Technical Problems

UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): According to MassDOT, the bridge has been closed and re-opened to vehicular traffic. "The issue was determined to be a hydraulic jack which was temporarily working out of sequence. MassDOT does not anticipate additional technical difficulties with the bridge this evening, but will continue to monitor this situation," a spokesperson said.

Fairhaven Police are warning drivers that the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge is experiencing some problems, with commuters advised to use I-195 instead.

On Friday afternoon, the department posted on Facebook that the bridge is “having some technical difficulties at the moment.”

Traffic backups are reported near Coggeshall and Howland Road in Fairhaven, with police reporting the areas are “extremely congested."

New Bedford Police say there are no problems reported at the other end.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which operates the bridge, noted in a release that “Route 6, between Route 18 in New Bedford and Main Street in Fairhaven, will remain closed to bridge traffic until further notice.”

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According to MassDOT, the bridge started experiencing difficulty after a scheduled opening around 11:15 a.m. Friday.

“Work on the bridge is currently underway,” the department stated.

A local police detail is helping direct traffic, but MassDOT noted that drivers in the area can expect delays and should drive slowly and cautiously.

It is unclear exactly what is wrong with the bridge at this time, or when it will be fixed.