New Haven – Mayor Justin Elicker issued an alert Tuesday informing residents that the Ferry Street Bridge, which links Fair Haven to the Annex via River Street and Fairmont Avenue, will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic effective immediately.
Safety‑first approach
City Engineer Giovanni Zinn confirmed the bridge is structurally stable and there is no immediate safety threat, but a mechanical problem has reduced its ability to support the “live load of extremely heavy vehicles.” The issue stems from two plates that help transfer load across the span becoming disconnected during a recent inspection.
“We are reattaching them,” Zinn said. “We will have a contractor out there at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.” He added that the repair work should be completed within a matter of days, not extending into a longer shutdown.
Why the closure matters
The bridge’s load‑bearing standards exceed the weight of most traffic that uses it, yet city officials prefer to err on the side of caution. “In the bridge world, we don’t like to deal with ‘fairly unlikely’ scenarios. Safety is an absolute,” Zinn explained, emphasizing the city’s commitment to protecting commuters.
Mayor Elicker urged drivers who normally cross the bridge to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes such as the Grand Avenue Bridge or public transportation options. “At this point we do not have a precise timeline for reopening, but we are working as quickly as possible to address the issue,” the mayor wrote, thanking residents for their patience.
Background on the structure
The Ferry Street Bridge was fully reopened in 2008 after a $17 million reconstruction. Prior to that, it remained closed for six years when it was deemed unsafe. The recent inspection that uncovered the plate disconnection was part of routine maintenance following a report that the bridge’s rotation was slightly off during opening and closing cycles.
City officials will continue to provide updates through the emergency alert system and the municipal website. Residents can sign up for citywide alerts to stay informed about this and future infrastructure projects.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
