General Sullivan Bridge closes to all pedestrian and bicycle traffic

posted on: 9/28/2018

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announces the immediate closure of the General Sullivan Bridge over Little Bay in Newington and Dover to all pedestrians and bicyclists.

The closure follows a scheduled inspection of the bridge this week that found significant additional deterioration of a critical floor beam under the bridge deck. NHDOT bridge engineers have concluded the bridge is no longer safe for users. Barricades and bridge closure signs are being installed to alert pedestrians and bicyclists of the immediate bridge closure.

The NHDOT is reviewing options for providing a long-term alternative crossing of Little Bay for bicyclists and pedestrians. For the immediate timeframe, COAST currently provides public bus service along the corridor in Dover and Newington, Monday through Saturday, and is offering a free crossing of Little Bay for affected pedestrians and bicyclists. For a service schedule, and the locations of the nearest bus stops, please see COAST’s Route 2 bus schedule at https://coastbus.org/routes/route-2. The nearest southbound and northbound pick-up points (bus stops) at the end of Dover Point Road near Homestead Way in Dover and on Shattuck Way in Newington are serviced by request only, so riders must call 603-743-5777 in advance to have the buses divert to these stops for pick-ups. While COAST buses have the capacity to carry up to three bicycles on the front of the bus at a time, they are available on a first come first served basis only. Bicycles may not be carried inside of the buses as they pose a safety hazard.

The General Sullivan Bridge was completed and opened to motor vehicle traffic in 1934. With the construction of the nearby Little Bay Bridge in 1966, the General Sullivan Bridge carried southbound traffic. It was closed to motor vehicle traffic in 1984 when a widened Little Bay Bridge was completed.It has been used since then as a crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians. The future of the bridge remains under engineering review.