The Civic Broadside · Traffic Alert

A bridge too far?

A section of concrete fell off the Florence Street bridge on Dartmouth Street.

Is the Florence Street Bridge falling, or simply spalling? On September 16, the roadway beneath was closed off "after portions of overhead concrete fell onto the roadway and parked vehicles". Dartmouth Street - for a section of the roadway between the Mountain Ave. post office and the rear entry to the senior center - has remained closed into September 18.

Text of an email circulated from a staff member in the Mayor's office was shared by At Large Councillor Karen Colón Hayes on September 17:

"We ... asked the engineers from SGH who have done work on our garages to do an independent assessment to help us determine a course of action. SGH had an engineer on site today until just a short time ago, marking areas, doing sound testing, and otherwise making observations. Tomorrow our staff will discuss with SGH a plan of attack to remove additional questionable concrete and install shielding, safety netting or some other appropriate backup system. Following that, there will be an assessment of additional steps to address what is causing the issue (likely water) and additional repairs to the impacted areas..."

The City of Malden (Official) Facebook page noted in a 5:03 PM post on September 17: "There is currently no estimated reopening time."

One resident asked, "How are the other bridges in Malden? Are they safe? Why can't the mayor issue a statement?"

View of the underside of the Florence Street bridge over Dartmouth Street
Beneath the bridge, September 16. Photo: City of Malden
First responders at the scene of the Dartmouth Street closure
First responders on scene, September 16. Photo: City of Malden
Close-up of crumbling concrete from the bridge
The crumbling concrete. Photo: City of Malden

Official alerts and updates

The city has posted a series of traffic alerts and Facebook updates as the closure has continued:

City of Malden traffic alert announcing the road closure
The city's initial traffic alert, September 16.
City of Malden traffic alert with a Dartmouth Street closure update
A closure update, September 17.
City of Malden traffic alert noting Dartmouth Street remains closed
The city confirms the road remains closed, September 17.
Update posted to Facebook, approximately 5:40 PM on September 17
An update shared around 5:40 PM, September 17 by Maria Luise of the Mayor's Office
City of Malden standing traffic alert graphic
The city's traffic alert graphic.
City of Malden Facebook post, September 16
Posted to Facebook, 8:30 PM, September 16.
City of Malden Facebook post, September 17
Posted to Facebook, 8:27 PM, September 17.
City of Malden Facebook post, September 17, follow-up
A follow-up post, 8:29 PM, September 17.

Photos from the scene

Malden News Network visited Dartmouth Street on September 17:

The bridge and roadway blocked off to traffic
The bridge blocked off to traffic, September 17.
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
Scene along the closed section of Dartmouth Street, September 17
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