Duxbury: Repair work to open Powder Point Bridge is expected to begin soon

The state recently determined that the wooden Powder Point Bridge can no longer hold the weight of motor vehicles because the piles that support the deck of the bridge are disintegrating at an accelerated rate.

A total of 160 piles need to be wrapped with carbon fiber but five piles located within close proximity to each other in the middle of the bridge have been targeted as trouble areas. According to Town Manager Richard MacDonald, work will begin within the next 3-4 weeks to wrap the five piles.

“Once this is done, the bridge will be open to emergency and limited-access vehicles. I assume that we are only going to have one-way traffic at this time,” said MacDonald

The limited re-opening of the Powder Point Bridge is dependent on an inspection by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

This past March, Duxbury voters approved $2.4 million to wrap the 160 piles in need of repair. The town will begin taking bids for the complete bridge project this spring.

Since the Powder Point Bridge gives access to Duxbury Beach, MacDonald has asked the town Beach Committee to look at possibly raising the price of beach stickers for non-residents.

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