Murray Street Bridge to Partially Reopen on January 28

Published on January 27, 2026

The Murray Street Bridge will partially reopen on a temporary basis on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, between 12 and 1 p.m., restoring limited access across the bridge while construction continues on the Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Replacement Project. This reopening occurs earlier than the originally anticipated February reopening date and marks the conclusion of the project’s longest full closure to date. 

As part of the temporary partial reopening, one eastbound-only lane will open to vehicles and bicycles on January 28. The City will continue evaluating additional traffic operations, including a pilot to allow two-way vehicle and bicycle access. Two-way pedestrian access across the bridge will also be restored. This temporary configuration reflects active construction conditions and allows the City to provide relief from the full closure and reopen the bridge as soon as it is safely feasible, with further traffic options continuing to be evaluated. 

This reopening is made possible by the completion of a key construction phase, including the installation of a new steel truss structure that supports a relocated underground utility line. Completion of this work, shown as Section 7 in the project visual guide, restores limited access while construction continues in other areas of the bridge. 

Upcoming Full Bridge Closures 

This reopening represents a temporary partial lane opening, and additional full closures will be required later in the project to complete critical infrastructure work. The City will provide advance notice and detailed information ahead of each closure to help the community plan accordingly. 

A second full closure of the Murray Street Bridge is currently scheduled for June through mid-September 2026, reflecting updated construction sequencing as the project progresses, and is expected to last approximately three and a half months. This closure is required to relocate a regional wastewater pipeline on the south side of the bridge, which serves approximately 35,000 residents, and must occur during the summer, when wastewater flows are lowest. Two additional short full closures are planned later in the project: one week in February 2027 and two weeks in December 2027. 

Supporting Local Businesses 

Throughout construction, Seabright and Harbor-area businesses remain open and accessible. The City continues to prioritize strategies that support local businesses and maintain access during the project. Free two-hour parking is available on Seabright Avenue, and community members are encouraged to continue shopping, dining, and recreating in the Seabright and Harbor areas. 

Project Information 

The Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Replacement Project is a long-term infrastructure investment designed to improve public safety, seismic resilience, and multimodal access. Improvements include wider bike lanes, a two-way pedestrian path, upgraded traffic barriers, and relocation and upsizing of a regional sewer force main serving multiple communities. 

The project began in January 2025 and remains on schedule, with completion anticipated in January 2028. Construction typically occurs Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with occasional Saturday work as needed. View the project visual guide for an overview of completed work, upcoming construction phases, and future planned closures.