ORANGE — Divers with the state Department of Transportation determined the town-owned bridge over Tully River’s west branch was safe to reopen Monday, the day after high water levels forced its closure.

The structure was closed on Sunday when the Tully River’s flow rate and height reached predetermined trigger points, according to MassDOT spokesperson Judith Reardon Riley.

The bridge, Reardon Riley explained, has been listed as “scour critical,” meaning it is at risk of damage due to erosion from water flow exceeding certain thresholds. Scour-critical bridges require inspections during and after high-water events.

Recent flooding has led to road and bridge closures across Franklin County, with MassDOT representatives coming to inspect other area bridges as well. For example, on Friday, inspectors examined the Stillwater Bridge in Deerfield and gave the go-ahead to reopen it.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.

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