Beverly, Salem Kernwood Bridge To Shut Down For Structural Repairs

BEVERLY, MA — The Kernwood Drawbridge connecting Beverly and Salem will shut down Thursday night as part of what the state Department of Transportation called "structural repair work."

The bridge, which has been undergoing structural support work to keep it functional until a new, temporary Hall-Whitaker Drawbridge can be completed in 2027, will be closed with a detour from 9 p.m. Thursday until about 5 a.m. Friday morning.

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During this time, the drawbridge will be inoperable, but the navigable channel will remain open to marine vessels that can safely pass under the bridge while it is in the closed position.

Harbormaster patrol boats will be on-site to guide marine traffic.

Travelers entering Beverly from Salem will be detoured onto Margin Street and can proceed westerly onto Liberty Street or easterly onto Sargeant James Ayube Memorial Drive (Route 1A) over the Danvers River.

Travelers entering Salem from Beverly will be detoured onto Bridge Street connecting to Elliot Street and can proceed westerly toward Liberty Street or easterly onto Rantoul Street, Sargeant James Ayube Memorial Drive (Route 1A) over the Danvers River.

Access to local roads on either side of the drawbridge will be maintained. Cyclists and pedestrians will not be able to cross the drawbridge during this time.

This work is part of an ongoing $12.8 million bridge preservation contract for the Kernwood Drawbridge.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)