Work begins Monday to repair damage to the Rocks Village Bridge that was caused by a truck carrying a dumpster last July 5 as well as another incident in January.
The state Department of Transportation says repairs to the drawbridge are expected to take six weeks with alternating lane closures and a full closure of the bridge next month and into June. The bridge crosses the Merrimack River, between East Main Street in Haverhill and Bridge Street in West Newbury.
Through Friday, May 1, officials said, one lane will be closed with the need to alternate traffic. Beginning, Saturday, May 2, and lasting through Sunday, May 17, both lanes remain open as prep work takes place off of the bridge. The bridge will close completely Monday, May 18, through Wednesday, June 3. All traffic will be detoured and the movable span will not be operating during this period.
The overhead truss on the movable span was struck and damaged by over-height vehicles last July 5, and this past Jan. 13. Last year’s accident involved a dumpster tipping over on the bridge and an emergency closure for temporary repairs.
Transportation officials say repairs will come the state’s Accident Recovery Program.