Longfellow Bridge reduced to one lane each way

A brand-new press release from the DCR:

DCR CLOSES INSIDE LANES OF LONGFELLOW BRIDGE TO ALL TRAFFIC

Agency also bans large trucks from the bridge

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) officials today announced that effective Saturday morning, June 28, the inside lanes in both directions on the Longfellow Bridge will be closed to all traffic.

Also, all large trucks will be prohibited from the Longfellow, and will be detoured to other bridges across the Charles River. Cars, buses, and light trucks will continue traveling on the outside lanes of the bridge.

Following consultation this week with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DCR agreed to institute the restrictions while repairs are being made to the bridge. Previously, only large trucks were prohibited from the inside lanes. Enforcing that ban proved difficult, however, and DCR has agreed to prohibit trucks weighing 20 tons and heavier from the bridge entirely.

“Nothing is more important to this agency than public safety,” said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “Given the difficulty of enforcing the one-lane truck ban, DCR agrees with the Federal Highway Administration officials that it’s best to keep large trucks off the Longfellow Bridge entirely until repairs are complete. We will add extra repair crews and finish the repairs as soon as possible.”

Since last August, DCR has spent more than $1 million on inspections and $4.5 million on repairs to the Longfellow Bridge. More than 200 jack beams have been replaced, and more than 180 railing brackets have been repaired.

The agency estimates that 60 percent of the anticipated repairs have been completed, with full completion expected this fall. A revised bridge load rating will be conducted as soon as all the repairs have been completed, after which a determination will be made on traffic flow.

Contact: Wendy Fox, 617-626-1453