However, the deterioration of the structure reduced the bridge's weight-bearing capacity, so traffic flow was restricted to one lane.

It had a posted weight limit of 3 short tons (2.7 t) at the end of its useful life.

The Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) replaced the Berkley–Dighton Bridge because it was seriously structurally deficient, its gears often jamming in the open position, forcing travelers miles to the north or south, and the inability for the bridge to handle emergency vehicles.

Bridge upgrade plans met with opposition for a variety of reasons, particularly concerns about the impact on local traffic.

The Dighton highway department installed a motor in the 1960s, though a tender was still required to grease the gears, unlock the bridge, remove some pins, and pull some switches to operate the mechanism.