Groton — An official from the state Department of Transportation said Wednesday that a piece of "haunch" or leftover concrete fell from a bridge, causing the closure of the on-ramp to Interstate 95 North from Long Hill Road South for several hours Tuesday night.

Kevin Nursick, DOT spokesman, said that the bridge is safe. He said the haunch is not structural in any way and has no impact on the condition or integrity of the bridge. The haunches served a purpose only when the bridge was built, and after that, are essentially no longer needed, he added.

Nursick said crews removed the remaining loose material, and will for the next day or two work on removing the remaining haunch material.