The Belden G. Bly Bridge, also known as the Fox Hill Drawbridge, a major throughway from Lynn to Saugus, is closed due to mechanical issues after getting stuck in the open position on Sunday evening.
The bridge, which crosses the Saugus River between Saugus and Lynn and carries traffic on Route 107, will remain closed to vehicular and marine traffic on Monday, according to an announcement from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The Lynn Fire Department is advising motorists to seek alternate routes and leave early for the morning commute. Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas said the bridge closure is also expected to affect traffic on the Lynnway, Summer Street and Boston Street.
MassDOT has implemented detour routes with the assistance of local communities, which includes Summer Street, Lincoln Avenue, Ballard Street and Boston Street. Several MBTA buses routes use the bridge daily. Those buses will be using detours on Monday.
The bridge operator reported the bridge became stuck in the open position around 5:40 p.m. An initial evaluation has found a problem with one of the steel ropes used to operate the bridge, according to MassDOT.
The bridge will remain closed on Monday due to an engineering evaluation currently underway and the time it will take to stabilize the draw span and develop and implement repairs, according to MassDOT.
MassDOT has plans to replace the bridge, which the department says it has regularly conducted maintenance on. The $80 million project is expected to go out to bid in early 2019, as the design phase is nearing completion, according to MassDOT.