The Gloucester Drawbridge over the Annisquam River consists of a steel drawbridge and western approach span with a timber trestle for the eastern approach. It was built in 1911, modified in 1932, and substantially repaired in 1984-85. It will be completely replaced with a modern box beam bridge on steel piles. By February 2016, bidding was planned to begin by June for the four-year, then-$34 million project, though funding had not been allotted. The MBTA Board approved a $56.9 million contract in October 2017; funding is split between federal and state funds. The 44-month project was to require 10 weekend shutdowns of the branch. All service between West Gloucester and Rockport was replaced by buses from June 1 to 30, 2019 to allow for construction. On April 29, 2020, service between West Gloucester and Rockport was indefinitely replaced by buses due to a failure of the old bridge. That June, the MBTA indicated the closure would continue until the completion of the bridge replacement in mid-2021.