MBTA Investigating Why A Beverly Drawbridge Broke Down On Sunday

BEVERLY, MA -- Riders on the Newburyport/Rockport line of the MBTA's commuter rail faced significant delays Sunday and had to take a shuttle bus between Beverly and Salem after a drawbridge stopped working properly. The bridge went into service last year and was built at a cost of $16 million while requiring extended closures of the line north of Salem.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said one of eight guide/wedge devices on the bridge failed. The MBTA is investigating the cause and has begun fabricating a replacement part. Permanent repairs -- which may entail service disruptions -- should be completed by the end of the month, Pesaturo said.

"A part failed on one of the span support wedges. The part guides the actual wedge into position where it supports the end of the bridge," he said.

Patch file photo.