Malden Underpass To Reopen After Falling Concrete Incident

Traffic will soon flow easier after this unexpected closure comes to an end.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Sep 23, 2026 1:41 PM EDT

MALDEN, MA — A city roadway is set to reopen following an incident involving a local bridge that prompted its closure last week.

The Dartmouth Street underpass can reopen Wednesday after engineers determined the area is safe for vehicle and pedestrian traffic, according to Malden City Hall. Crews moved fencing to the side of the roadway Wednesday morning to allow traffic through.

The underpass was closed after portions of overhead concrete fell from the bridge onto the roadway and parked vehicles. Malden police, fire, and city Inspectional Services initially responded to the scene, while the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and private engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz and Heger later evaluated the structure. No injuries were reported.

Crews marked areas of concrete that raised concerns before returning Tuesday to remove them as a precaution against additional concrete falling. Engineers with SGH subsequently determined that the underpass could reopen.

Workers are expected to return in approximately one week to install precautionary netting beneath the underpass, which will remain in place until permanent repairs can be completed. Samples will also be taken from the roadway, the upper side of the bridge deck below the roadway, and the underside of the deck for additional testing.

The testing will be used by SGH to recommend a course of action to address the deterioration that caused the concrete to fall. Bid documents will then be prepared for a future construction project, with the city targeting the spring construction season for permanent repairs.

The work is temperature sensitive, and city leaders believe there will not be enough time to complete the necessary preparation before colder weather returns.