New Bedford Pedestrian Bridge Demolition and Road Closures

In with the new and out with the old.

With the new pedestrian bridge connecting New Bedford with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail station open and crawling with commuters from home and Boston, the city and demolition crews are finally ready to take down the old pedestrian bridge over Route 18 this week.

This calls for temporary road closures overnight.

The MBTA announced the work as part of the transition to the new pedestrian bridge, which now connects Acushnet Avenue to the city’s new rail station at the Whale's Tooth parking lot.

Keep in mind that during the demolition, Route 18 will see closures and detours between 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. through Thursday, April 3.

Here’s the expected schedule:

Monday, March 31:

Route 18 Southbound closed at Purchase Street exit (traffic diverted to Purchase Street).
Route 18 Northbound: Single-lane closure.

Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 2:

Route 18 Northbound closed at Route 6/Mill Street and Hillman Street (traffic diverted to Herman Melville Boulevard and Purchase Street).
Acushnet Avenue closed (traffic diverted to Herman Melville Boulevard).

Thursday, April 3:

Route 18 Northbound closed at Route 6/Mill Street and Hillman Street (traffic diverted to Herman Melville Boulevard and Purchase Street).
Route 18 Southbound: Single-lane closure.

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Police details and signage will be in place to direct drivers. Anyone with construction-related concerns can contact the MBTA at (508) 676-3558.

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