Gorham, NH  May 8, 2025 -The Madison Gulf Bridge which crosses the Peabody River along the Appalachian Trail on the Androscoggin Ranger District has been closed after an inspection deemed the bridge unsafe for pedestrian traffic. The bridge will remain closed until a new structure is designed and installed. While the bridge remains closed, White Mountain NF staff have coordinated with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to identify an official detour for the Appalachian Trail. The new route eliminates the river crossing and provides a safer option. The detour is signed and blazed to identify the route. Bridge Closure Order and Maps can be found here:  Madison Gulf Bridge  Any questions regarding the closure can be directed to the Androscoggin Ranger Station at (603) 466-2713.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.