Mystic River Bridge Closed Due to Mechanical Issue

Bridge connecting Boston's Charlestown and Everett shut down for several hours.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:31pm

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The Alford Street Bridge over the Mystic River, a key connection between Boston's Charlestown neighborhood and Everett, has been closed due to a mechanical issue according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Traffic is being diverted around Sullivan Square in Boston and the Route 16/Route 99 intersection in Everett as crews work to resolve the problem.

Why it matters

The Alford Street Bridge is one of the main routes for accessing the Encore Boston Harbor casino from Boston, so the closure is expected to cause significant traffic delays in the area. The bridge closure also impacts commuters and residents who regularly travel between the two cities.

The details

MassDOT announced the bridge closure shortly before 12:30 p.m. on January 27, 2026. The department said the bridge will remain shut down for several hours as they work to address the mechanical issue that caused the closure.

  • The bridge closure was announced shortly before 12:30 p.m. on January 27, 2026.
  • The bridge is expected to remain closed for several hours.

The players

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and overseeing transportation infrastructure in Massachusetts, including the Alford Street Bridge.

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What’s next

MassDOT has not provided an estimated timeline for when the bridge will reopen, but they are advising drivers to seek alternate routes and expect delays in the area until the issue is resolved.

The takeaway

The closure of the Alford Street Bridge, a critical transportation link between Boston and Everett, highlights the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure and the impact that mechanical failures can have on regional mobility.