Image courtesy Google Maps

Earlier this afternoon, the City of Lowell and Lowell Police Department posted a rather vague traffic advisory on social media, informing the public that the Suffolk Street Bridge is closed to vehicles until further notice.

InsideLowell has since learned that a structural issue was discovered, requiring further investigation.

TEC Engineering, a private company out of Oxford, MA that contracts with the city, will be called in to do a more in-depth analysis, which is expected to take days to complete.

At that point, a determination will be made as to what repairs need to be made and what the anticipated time frame is. A source familiar with the issue is “guessing that it could be a while” before the bridge is re-opens to motor vehicle traffic.

The Suffolk St. bridge connects Father Morissette Boulevard to the Wannalancit Mills. Temporary barriers are currently in place, though they’ll be replaced by Jersey barriers in short order.

Pedestrians are still allowed over the span, while drivers will have to seek alternate routes.