Weight and Lane Restrictions on New Bedford Overpass

NEW BEDFORD — Drivers in New Bedford may have noticed new signage announcing temporary weight and lane restrictions on a city overpass as work to repair the substructure begins.

MassDOT announced that the restrictions are being put in place starting Sunday, Nov. 13 through the next several weeks as a precaution, to support repair work on the I-195 bridge over Rt. 18 in New Bedford.

All vehicles weighing more than 23 tons are being asked to take detours as substructure bridge repair work goes on.

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A $111 million project to completely reconstruct the I-195 superstructure, including the bridge and ramps over Rt. 18, was recently funded through President Biden's $125 billion transportation package approved in 2021.

The overpass structure replacement project was expected to begin in the fall of 2023. It is unclear if the repair work is related to that project.

The bridge and ramp system currently carries I-195 over Rt. 18, the Mass Coastal railroad tracks, and County, Purchase, State and Weld streets.

While the repair work is ongoing over the next several weeks, MassDOT says vehicles that weigh more than 23 tons will be rerouted or restricted depending on the direction in which they are headed.

Trucks and other heavy vehicles heading eastbound on 195 are asked to detour to Rt. 6 briefly before rejoining the interstate.

They can do this by taking Rt. 18 southbound to Rt. 6 east to Fairhaven, then take Rt. 240 north to get back on to Rt. 195 east.

Meanwhile trucks and other heavy vehicles traveling westbound on I-195 are asked to follow signs and restrict their travel to the right travel lane.

There are no restrictions in place for passenger vehicles or those weighing 23 tons or less.

Drivers are urged to reduce their speed and use caution in the affected areas.

The work is weather dependent.