Memorial Bridge to Close for 'Adjustments'

The Memorial Bridge will be closed to traffic on two days to allow the bridge contractor to perform some necessary lift span adjustments, according to Archer Western Contractors officials.

Carol Morris, a bridge contractor spokesperson, said the bridge will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from midnight to 5 a.m. She said the bridge center span will be in a raised position during those time periods. 

Morris said that Archer Western Contractors "will be working in the machinery rooms and making adjustments to the lift machinery. Steve DelGrosso, AWC project manager, noted that the lift span machinery has generally been working smoothly since the bridge was opened to traffic six weeks ago. While it has required some adjustments, the Design/Build team is overall very pleased with its performance."

Morris said that after the bridge reopens to traffic, it will be closed again  sometime in October. She said Archer Western Contractors crews will re-mount the eagle and portal plaque on the Portsmouth side of the span that were salvaged from the World War I memorial that was displayed on the old Memorial Bridge.