Coast Guard Schedules a Bridge to Stay Shut Indefinitely
Published Date: 11/24/2025
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is changing how the Hall Whitaker Bridge over Bass River in Beverly, MA works while it gets a makeover. The bridge will stay closed because a temporary fixed bridge (that can’t open) will be built, and the old one will be torn down and rebuilt. This change starts November 24, 2025, and might last past April 2026, affecting boaters who can’t pass when the bridge is down.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Hall Whitaker Bridge stays closed to boats
Starting November 24, 2025, the Hall Whitaker Bridge at mile 0.6 on Bass River in Beverly, MA will remain in the closed position and will not open for vessels. The closure may continue past April 27, 2026, so boats that need the bridge to open will not be able to pass during that time.
Boats that fit under closed span may pass
Vessels that can pass under the bridge while it is closed will still be allowed to transit; the bridge's closed vertical clearance is 4.62 feet. If your boat's air draft is higher than that, you will not be able to pass while the bridge is closed.
Alternate winter storage access arranged
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has made alternate arrangements for impacted vessels to reach their winter storage facility upstream of the Hall Whitaker Bridge. This planning was done because most bridge openings are seasonal when larger vessels move for winter storage.
Bridge closed to vehicles; full replacement planned
The Hall Whitaker Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in June 2022 because of a substandard load rating, has been assessed as structurally unsound, and is scheduled for demolition and full replacement with a temporary fixed bridge that cannot open. The regulatory change confirms the drawspan will remain closed to navigation while the temporary fixed bridge is constructed and the old bridge is demolished.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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