There’s bad news for folks who frequent Acushnet Road. The bridge at Tinkham Pond will remain closed for at least six months.

“We didn’t think it was as bad as it was. We can’t let it go. It’s gone too far already,” said Highway Surveyor Barry Denham.

On the advice of the Department of Transportation, Denham closed the bridge to all traffic about three weeks ago due to the failing stone culvert beneath the pavement.

Denham originally hoped to make temporary repairs that would make the road passable, but that proved to be time and cost prohibitive. The temporary bridge would also require permitting.

“In mid-December or so we’re going to be shut down for weather,” he said. “We decided to start on permitting for a permanent replacement, and hopefully as early as possible in sprint to start on replacement of the culvert.”

He added that a bypass isn’t possible.

“The only good place for the road is where the road is,” Denham told Selectmen on Tuesday night.

Denham said the cost for permanent repairs is not known, but funding from town meeting and the state should cover initial needs until the next town meeting. He will also seek other sources of funding.