Commuter Rail bridge repaired, trains back on schedule

Commuters on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line experienced significant delays Wednesday morning but the problem was remedied just before lunchtime.MBTA Spokesman Joe Pesaturo said there was a mechanical problem with the bridge over the North River in Beverly, which disrupted commuter rail service from 5 a.m. until approximately 11:30 a.m.Pesaturo said the drive shaft on the bridge, which wouldn’t lock into position so trains could cross the bridge, has been replaced and no further delays are expected.When the bridge was being repaired passengers had to disembark from trains and take shuttle buses between the Beverly and Salem commuter stations.”It’s not clear why this part failed,” Pesaturo said. “The part was less than six months old and it was expected to last 10 years.”Commuters experienced similar delays on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, when a barge hit the bridge causing it to jam in the open position. Pesaturo said it is unclear whether the mechanical failure today was connected to the Dec. 21 incident.