Advisory: Merrimac

Full Closure of Emery Street Bridge Over I-495

495

For immediate release:

May 16, 2025

Closure will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, and is expected to continue through early September 2025

MERRIMAC – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be implementing a full closure of the Emery Street Bridge over I-495 in Merrimac beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21. The closure is necessary to allow crews to safely and efficiently perform rehabilitation and preservation operations. The work is expected to be completed by early September 2025.

Work will consist of pavement removal and necessary concrete deck repairs. Additional operations include installation of new bridge pavement, bridge joints, sidewalk repairs, guardrail upgrades, substructure repairs, heat straightening of select beams, and cleaning and painting of bridge steel.

The following detours will be in place during the closure:

  • Vehicles approaching Emery Street from Haverhill Road (Route 110) will use Pond Hill Road, turn right onto Middle Road, and return to Emery Street.
  • Vehicles approaching from Skunk Road will turn right onto Middle Road, left onto Pond Hill Road, and left onto Haverhill Road (Route 110).

This work is part of an $11.4 million bridge rehabilitation project that includes six individual bridges over I-95, I-495, and Route 1 in the towns of Boxford, Merrimac, and Peabody.

Appropriate signage and law enforcement details will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:

  • Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
  • Dial 511 and select a route to hear real time conditions.
  • Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.

John Goggin

MassDOT Communications

857-260-4218