Cold Causes Memorial Bridge Malfunction

The Memorial Bridge was closed to traffic for over an hour on Thursday night, according to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

NHDOT spokesman William Boynton said the bridge was closed from about 8:50 to 10 p.m.

"There was a problem after a lift lowering and seating the span," he said. "Trouble shooting is taking place today."

Boynton said the extreme cold weather and harsh environmental conditions are putting the new bridge to the test.

"We continue to have problems with the span locks for the gates, but the new gate system is supposed to arrive next Tuesday, which will hopefully address this issue with bridge malfunctioning," he said. "We are lifting 1.2 million pounds 150 feet into the air with cables and shafts. A lot of moving parts, and just like one’s car, the bridge lift can be slow to move in the extreme cold if it’s not warmed up."