New Bedford/Fairhaven Bridge Traffic Isn’t the Only Local Headache

If you’ve spent any amount of time driving over the New Bedford/Fairhaven Bridge, you already know the frustration of getting stuck waiting for the boats to go through. However, there’s another pet peeve plaguing drivers, and it happens before you even hit the bridge, specifically on Pope’s Island.

The Plaza Problem No One Talks About

On the Fairhaven side, there’s a busy plaza where Fathoms Bar & Grille, Wash House Salon, Flyin’ Aces Tattoo, and several other businesses sit. The plaza has two entrances and exits, but good luck using them when traffic is backed up.

Now, I get it, the first entrance closest to the bridge can be tricky. If traffic suddenly stops right by Fathoms, sometimes there’s nowhere else for cars to go – but what’s the excuse for blocking the second entrance/exit further down the road? There isn’t one.

Trapped in Pope’s Island Purgatory

Just the other day, after enjoying a great lunch at Fathoms, I was stuck in the parking lot, watching car after car creep by without leaving an inch of space to let me out. I wasn't trying to cross the bridge; I was traveling the opposite direction. By the time I got back to the radio station in Fairhaven, I had lost track of how long I sat there waiting for someone to show a little common courtesy.

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Don’t even get me started on what happens once the bridge actually opens. It’s a complete free-for-all. No one seems to want to let anyone out, let alone allow you to cross over to the other lane. The result: an unnecessary gridlock that makes a bad situation worse.

A Little Courtesy Goes a Long Way

So here’s your free PSA of the day:

If you’re stuck waiting at the bridge, do not block entrances. Be mindful of parking lot exits. A little courtesy goes a long way, and you might just save someone from being trapped in Pope’s Island purgatory.