South Dartmouth Padanaram Bridge Reopens Seasonal Schedule

Everyone (including myself) is always worried about getting stuck on the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge, but no one talks about South Dartmouth. If you've ever been stuck at the Padanaram Bridge, you know that going all the way around is quite the tedious task.

With warmer weather right around the corner, the Town of Dartmouth has confirmed that the Padanaram Bridge will return to its seasonal schedule starting May 1, and if you’ve been caught there before, you already know timing is everything.

From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., the bridge will open on the hour and half-hour. Between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., it shifts to openings just once per hour. Then from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., it returns to hour and half-hour openings before shutting down for the night.

READ MORE: Meet the Guy Who Operates the Padanaram Bridge [VIDEO]

While that’s the official word, here’s what they don’t always spell out: the schedule typically runs through October, and those openings happen because of boat traffic, not just automatically. That means timing can shift slightly depending on how many vessels are coming through the Padanaram Harbor.

Timing Is Everything in South Dartmouth

If you’re driving, your best bet is to avoid arriving right before the top of the hour, especially during the busy summer months. Mid-hour crossings, around 10 to 20 minutes past, tend to be your safest window.

READ MORE: The Guide to Avoid Getting Stuck at the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge

Otherwise, you might find yourself sitting there watching the bridge go up, wondering if turning around and taking the long way was the better move after all.