The New Hampshire Department of Transportation announces bridge repairs are scheduled to begin on the NH Route 18 bridge over the Gale River in Franconia. This work will require closure of the bridge from July 5 until September 5, 2011. This bridge is located just south of the junction of NH Route 142 and NH 18.

These repairs are necessary to strengthen the bridge and remove the restricted weight limit posting on the bridge. All traffic should seek alternate routes during this time period.

Built in 1930, the bridge was downgraded to a 15-weight limit and put on the state "Red List" in October of 2009 due to structural deficiencies.