Photo: James Rojas (WBZ)
LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Properties underneath the Mt. Vernon Street Bridge in Lynn were forced to close Thursday morning after city inspectors deemed the area unsafe.
An inspection revealed falling chunks of concrete, column rot, gaps in the bridge, and enough water damage to form stalagmite crystals. Crews worked Thursday evening on repairs.
Earlier this spring, structural engineers deemed the bridge safe for the MBTA Commuter Rail to operate on, though business owner Francisco Meneses disagrees.
"I'm a fire escape inspector. I know rust and I know spalling," said Meneses, whose storefronts are directly underneath the bridge. "I'm an expert witness on rust, and I'm telling you, that is not looking safe, and that's carrying all the northbound passengers."
"If the city inspectors felt that this structure was unsafe for me to be under, then why is it safe for the people to traverse above," Meneses asked.
MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told WBZ NewsRadio that the bridge deck will be inspected again by professional engineers by the end of the month.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
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