BU Bridge to partially close for emergency repairs

[Ian David]

By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff

One northbound lane of the Boston University Bridge will be closed tonight for emergency repairs after a routine inspection found deteriorating steel beams beneath the span over the Charles River.

The lane from Boston to Cambridge will close after rush hour at about 8 p.m., according to spokeswoman Wendy Fox for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the four-lane bridge.

The closure comes at an importune time for the bridge's namesake, with Boston University’s commencement scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Nickerson Field.

One Boston to Cambridge lane will remain open during the repairs along with both Cambridge to Boston lanes. Pedestrians will still be able to walk from Boston to Cambridge during the work, which is expected to take about three weeks. A full overhaul of the bridge is expected to begin in the fall, Fox said.

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