Business owners concerned as Queen City Bridge remains closed
By Kaitlin Corbett
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MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — The Queen City Bridge remained closed for a second day Tuesday after the city announced it was closed indefinitely while an investigation into possible structural deficiencies takes place.
The closure is not only causing travel headaches, it’s also causing concerns for local businesses.
Kristie Ranahan owns the Village Play Cafe on Second Street, an indoor playground and café for children, parents and caregivers. She’s one of many business owners feeling apprehensive after the Queen City Bridge closed indefinitely following the discovery of a potential crack during routine inspection.
“The majority of our clientele are mothers and caregivers, and it’s already hard enough to get out the door with the toddler,” Ranahan said. “When you have extended traffic and things of that nature, it’s just another reason for them to say, ‘I’m not going to leave the house.'”
This isn’t the first time in recent years that the Queen City Bridge has experienced closures.
In 2024, following three years of partial closures and traffic headaches, the deck on the bridge was replaced at a cost of 9.4 million.
Jon Pinches owns The Packie Craft Beer Store, also on Second Street. He said that two years after the deck project, it feels like déjà vu.
“Who knows how long it will go, but it’s already a tough industry right now,” Pinches said. “And having one of our major arteries blocked off for getting here is going to be detrimental. We’re frustrated.”
Customers who support the businesses told News 9 they expect normal errands to become difficult, as well.
“(The Queen City Bridge) is how you get to all those stores downtown,” said John Sherman, who lives in Merrimack. “And if you want to go to the mall and don’t want to take the highway, you go that way.”
The Department of Public Works hasn’t given an update on a timeline for the closure, and said as of Tuesday, the investigation is still ongoing.
But Ranahan said for a business like hers, the wait will be costly.
“Financially, it’s already our slower season. We definitely see seasonality because the playgrounds are open,” she said. “We really can’t afford to lose any additional revenue at this moment. So, I’m just praying that it doesn’t affect us long term.”
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