Sewalls Falls Road Closed Until Further Notice

A main thoroughfare in the northern part of the city has been closed until further notice after an accident on May 1.

At around 8 p.m. Tuesday, patrol officers were called to the bridge for a single motor vehicle accident. There were no injuries, according to Lt. John Thomas, but the vehicle struck a guardrail “causing damage to the bridge.”

“Due to the damage of the bridge it was determined that the bridge would be closed until further notice,” Thomas wrote in a press release. “Drivers that use the Sewall Falls Bridge are encouraged to use alternate routes until the bridge is reopened.”

The Sewalls Falls Road Bridge is one of three potential roads where residents in the northern part of the city can cross the Merrimack River to get to the other side of the city. While closed, residents will have to drive north into Boscawen to cross over by Exit 17 on I-93 or drive all the way south to I-393.

The 97-year-old bridge is on a list of potential projects for replacement but has been held up due to lack of transportation funds on the state side. The city has already budgeted its share of the project. In the past, city officials have stressed the need to replace the bridge as soon as possible. Officials also continue to inspect the bridge to make sure it is safe to use.

Last year, Mesa, Arizona, Mayor Scott Smith came to Concord on behalf of Building America’s Future, a bipartisan coalition of officials who would like to bring a new era of investment in infrastructure that enhances the nation’s prosperity and quality of life. Officials from New Hampshire involved in the effort stressed the need to reconstruct the bridge.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, Thomas said.