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New Haven Line customers should expect scattered rush-hour delays on trains until further notice due to mechanical problems with the Devon Moveable Bridge and the use of only two tracks across the span, Metro-North Railroad announced Wednesday afternoon.
One span of the 110-year-old bridge failed to close properly early Wednesday, July 1, after tests. Workers are assessing the span and preparing to make repairs.
The train bridge has two drawbridge spans that open vertically to allow marine traffic to pass underneath. The southern span of the bridge, which carries Metro-North's Tracks 2 and 4, is in the closed position and carrying train traffic at reduced speeds.
The northern span, which carries Metro-North's Tracks 1 and 3, opened for a scheduled test opening and closing at 1 a.m. Wednesday and was unable to close and is now in the vertical position.
As the span was closing, it damaged the bridge abutment piers.
Personnel from Metro-North Railroad and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are at the bridge to assess the damage and identify what repairs need to be done to firmly close and lock the span to allow train service to resume.
The ConnDOT has issued an emergency declaration that will enable contractors and Metro-North personnel to expedite repairs to the bridge. While the work is underway, all trains will use the southern span of the bridge.
Train customers at Milford and the temporary Devon Transfer station will notice temporary metal pedestrian bridge plates have been erected to allow customers to walk from the westbound platforms to the middle track.
Metro-North anticipates train congestion during rush hours due to the use of only two tracks.
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