A routine inspection of the Veterans Memorial Bridge has resulted in the closure of one westbound travel lane between Hudson and Nashua after inspectors discovered a crack in one of the bridge’s steel support girders.
The Town of Hudson announced the lane closure on Tuesday, Sept. 22, initially saying the decision was made out of an abundance of caution after inspectors discovered an issue requiring further evaluation.
A follow-up inspection Wednesday confirmed a crack in one of the bridge’s four steel beams. The affected lane, which carries westbound traffic toward Nashua, was immediately closed.
According to Hudson Director of Development Services Elvis Dhima, the damaged girder is located beneath the sidewalk on the upstream side of the bridge. Because of the location of the structural damage, town officials determined that closing the single lane was sufficient and that a complete bridge closure was not necessary at this time.
The Veterans Memorial Bridge is one of two bridges connecting Hudson and Nashua across the Merrimack River. The companion Taylor Falls Bridge carries traffic in the opposite direction.
Town officials are working with an engineering consultant and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to determine the necessary repairs. A final inspection was scheduled for the week following the discovery of the crack.
The Hudson Board of Selectmen also set aside approximately $100,000 in emergency funding to address the structural repair, with officials hoping to return the bridge to full operation as quickly and safely as possible.
The bridge is approximately 55 years old, and Dhima noted that routine inspections are an important part of identifying problems before they become more serious.
“We want to take care of this as soon as possible, the safest way possible,” Dhima said.
Officials have estimated that the bridge could be fully operational again within four to six weeks, although the timing will depend on the inspection results and the work required to repair the damaged girder.
The closure is expected to create additional congestion for motorists traveling between Hudson and Nashua, particularly during the morning and afternoon commuting periods. Motorists are being advised to allow additional travel time and use alternate routes when possible.
The Veterans Memorial Bridge underwent other repair work in recent years as part of the broader work on Hudson and Nashua’s twin bridges. The current structural issue was identified during a routine inspection and is being addressed separately from that earlier work.
