Thursday, 4:30 PM
Key Ipswich bridge reopens to traffic
By David Rattigan, Globe correspondent
The Choate Bridge in Ipswich was reopened to traffic this morning, nearly four weeks after the Massachusetts Highway Department closed it due to flood damage.
The historic bridge, built in 1764, carries about 20,000 vehicles a day on Route 1A, a main north-south road on the North Shore and was one of several town bridges that were shut down as a result of damage from heavy rains and flooding in May.
The bridge, which was closed June 2, is a main route to the downtown business district. Town Manager Robert Markel said that reopening the bridge should give a boost to the area, where business has been slow.
"There's been damage to the business community from the perception that people from the south can't get here, but businesses have been open and the town is functioning," Markel said. "This will make it easier, of course."
