Cut Bridge Closed

[Joan_H]

See Gloucester Times Story.

www.gloucestertimes.com

The Cut bridge over the Annisquam River was locked down indefinitely yesterday after scuba divers found general structural deterioration of the seawall along the east side of the Blynman Canal that puts the tender's house in risk of collapse.

The drawbridge was ordered locked in the down position at midnight, allowing motor vehicles free passage, but causing major adjustments for the heavy traffic on the river.

Whale watch and fishing boats moored in the river will have no choice but to go north and around Cape Ann to reach waters they typically reach with straight shots through the canal.

Notable as the second-busiest drawbridge on the Atlantic Coast, the Cut, or Blynman Bridge, over the Blynman Canal, has been opening as many as 60 times a day this summer.

[eneumeier]

This matters for kayakers.

It is good for paddlers in Gloucester harbor, since there will be less boat traffic from the Blynman cut heading out. It is bad for anyone paddling in the Annisquam because boat traffic there will be horrendous.

Also, although small boats who can fit under the bridge are now being permitted to pass through, I suspect it will be closed to all boat traffic, including kayaks, in the very near future.

[Joan_H]

According to today's paper, as of 7:30 last night the canal was closed to all boat traffic.

[rick stoehrer]

hu-haaa...little do you suspect that the rest of us are halfway to having you cornered.