LYNN — Elected officials and community members are speaking out about how the recent closure of the temporary Belden G. Bly Bridge replacement is impacting Lynn and Saugus residents.
The temporary bridge carrying Route 107 over the Saugus River in Lynn and Saugus was closed around 7 p.m. Wednesday following a “field inspection that revealed cracking on bridge deck panel assemblies,” according to a statement from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The MassDOT statement, which was released Thursday afternoon, said that the work is expected to be completed by the end of this weekend.
“Subsequent inspections have since been completed, and additional locations in need of replacement have been identified. As a result, crews are currently working around the clock to replace the affected deck panel assemblies. MassDOT anticipates that repairs will continue over the coming days but expects the work to be completed and traffic restored to the temporary bridge by the end of this upcoming weekend,” the statement said.
The Bly Bridge, which connects Lynn and Saugus at Western Avenue and Route 107, was closed in 2013 and replaced with a temporary bridge. Construction for the new bridge started in 2021 and is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
According to MassDOT, “Per the construction schedule for the ongoing replacement project, the contractor is expected to shift traffic to the new bridge later this fall. At that time, traffic on the new bridge will be restricted to one lane in each direction to facilitate the removal of the temporary bridge. Following its removal, the remaining retaining wall work, pavement reconstruction, and sidewalk work along the east side of Route 107 will continue under staged construction. The project is expected to achieve full beneficial use — with two travel lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks in both directions by summer 2026.”
Council President and Ward 7 Councilor Jay Walsh expressed his frustrations with the traffic conditions caused by the temporary replacement bridge closure on Thursday morning.
“I’ve lived in this area my whole life. Summer Street was gridlocked from 5:30-9:30 this morning. If anyone in this neighborhood or the surrounding neighborhoods had a medical emergency, I don’t think they would make it. There’s just no way to get out of it. If you’re a resident in this area, and you’re employed and go to work in the morning, that’s costing you money if you’re late. And that’s not fair to us. This whole thing has been a nightmare. It’s impacting us widely. It’s horrible and unacceptable,” Walsh said.
Walsh also criticized MassDOT in light of the bridge closure.
“MassDOT doesn’t give answers, and when they do, they’re usually incorrect and changing minute by minute. I think there should be answers for us given from MassDOT and the state. I think it should be looked at from an outside agency at this point. There needs to be some sort of accountability. They’re not doing their job. They don’t respond when we put pressure on them. It’s another agency in the state that has no accountability,” Walsh said.
Walsh also expressed doubt in MassDOT’s current separate project to replace the Gen. Edwards Drawbridge’s center median barrier.
“I don’t want them to touch it if this is the kind of time frame we’re going to end up with. They should just leave it alone because it just causes problems for people, and I don’t think that’s right,” Walsh said.
Local business owner Tim Horgan of Stoneham Boat Center on Western Avenue spoke about how the Route 107 bridge closure has been impacting his employees.
“It’s very frustrating. It makes life difficult for everyone who is trying to do business in the area. It adds a whole other level of disruption,” Horgan said.
Horgan added, “As I came to work this morning, I saw three different road blocks set up on Western Avenue. I didn’t see any one of them say the bridge is out and there is still access available to the local businesses. My concern is that people (drive) up, and they’re being diverted away without any good knowledge about what’s going on. They’re not making it clear and easy for people who want to get through. They could do a much better job.”
Meanwhile, State Rep. Sean Reid emphasized the importance of completing the repairs on the bridge as quickly as possible.
“I am totally feeling the frustration as someone who takes this bridge into the city nearly every weekday. We’ll continue working with MassDOT to make sure this project is completed as quickly and with as much mitigation as possible, while ensuring that the permanent bridge is built as soon as possible. We, of course, need to see real accountability and real progress, not just for this bridge, but for all of (the) state infrastructure needs here,” Reid said.
Sen. Brendan Crighton said he “shares frustrations and concerns” with those affected by the Route 107 bridge closure. He brought up when MassDOT reduced the scope of its work for the ongoing repairs at the Gen. Edwards Drawbridge in August after discussions surrounding impact of lane closures on traffic patterns.
“We’re hoping to do the same here with existing repairs. I’ve been in regular contact with MassDOT and local partners. We’re trying to mitigate any disruptions the best we can. There’s not a lot of easy answers. We’re listening and trying to communicate as regularly as possible,” Crighton said.
He added, “While changing infrastructure comes with these types of repairs, we’re rolling up our sleeves and working together, finding ways to expedite repairs needed was our goal. We’re going to continue to work with MassDOT to limit disruption.”
