North Shore bridge closed indefinitely after inspection

Local News

The closure of the bridge linking Saugus and Lynn will bring “extended” detours, MassDOT said.

The Route 107 bridge over the Saugus River in Lynn and Saugus closed indefinitely on Wednesday after an inspection indicated it needs urgent repairs, state transportation officials announced.

“Findings from a recent bridge inspection required the closure of the bridge. The bridge will be closed until further notice. To ensure safety, vehicle loads must be removed from the affected sections until appropriate repairs can be completed,” the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in an advisory shared by the town of Saugus.

The stretch of Route 107 involved is also called the Salem Turnpike or Western Avenue, according to MassDOT.

MassDOT released details about detours stemming from the closure:

Northbound traffic on Route 107 (Salem Turnpike) will follow this detour at the Route 107/Ballard Street intersection: 

• Turn left onto Ballard Street. 
• Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue. 
• Continue on Boston Street.
• Turn right onto Summer Street. 
• Take Summer Street back to Route 107 (Western Avenue)

Southbound traffic on Route 107 (Western Avenue) will be detoured as follows: 

• Turn right onto Summer Street. 
• Turn left onto Boston Street. 
• Continue onto Lincoln Avenue. 
• Turn left onto Ballard Street. 
• Take Ballard Street back to Route 107 (Salem Turnpike)

The bridge’s drawbridge component will continue to let boats pass under, and pedestrians and cyclists are still permitted to use the bridge’s sidewalks, MassDOT said.

The bridge is a temporary structure while a permanent replacement for the Belden G. Bly bridge, also called the Fox Hill bridge, is being constructed. Construction for the $87 million project began in 2020, documents from MassDOT indicate.

The original Bly Bridge closed in 2013, and travelers have been using the temporary one since then, The Boston Globe reported in 2021.