MassDOT urges immediate closure of Mad Brook Road bridge; town accepts recommendation

MassDOT inspectors told the Town of North Brookfield that bridge N17013 — Mad Brook Road over Horse Pond Brook — is deteriorating and recommended the town close the structure immediately, citing weakened steel supports under the deck.

At the Select Board meeting on April 21, the chair read a MassDOT letter dated April 7, 2026, stating that design and funding for a replacement bridge are in place but that recent inspections show the bridge continues to deteriorate. "Because of this, MassDOT recommends that the town close the bridge now," the letter said, and encouraged the town to implement the planned detour and use MassDOT-provided detour signs.

The board moved to accept MassDOT's recommendation to close the bridge and install the planned detour. Board members discussed visible deterioration of the trusses under the bridge and confirmed that town staff already has detour signs on hand. One member asked about post locations for signage and said they would follow up to confirm installation details.

Construction of the replacement bridge was described in the letter as expected to begin in summer 2026. The Select Board's vote accepts the recommendation to close the bridge now and put the detour in place; the board instructed staff to coordinate sign placement and local notifications.

Next steps: the town will close Mad Brook Road, install the detour signs supplied by MassDOT, and coordinate with MassDOT and the town highway department on construction scheduling and public notification.