The Plum Island Drawbridge, carrying the Plum Island Turnpike over the Plum Island River in Newbury, is unavailable to open for marine vessels while repairs take place.
Massachusetts Transportation officials say the impacts to navigation are necessary to allow structural repairs to be undertaken and are expected to remain in effect until Monday, Aug. 5.
The drawbridge has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 13 feet at mean high water and 21 feet at mean low water. Officials say marine vessels able to safely pass under the bridge in the closed position may continue to do so.
The impact to marine vessels is expected to be negligible as the Plum Island River is nearly unnavigable due to shoaling. They explain, from Jan. 1, 2023 to date there have been no requests to open the bridge. The state expects additional traffic management measures on the topside of the bridge to reduce travel speeds across the span until permanent repairs are completed.
Repairs are part of an ongoing $7.7 million district-wide drawbridge operations and repair contract.