PORTSMOUTH — A healthy chunk of the Old Stone Bridge abutment’s north face in Portsmouth caved in between late Thursday night and early Friday morning.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. said the state, which owns the abutment, is aware of the situation, and that he would keep the Town Council apprised of any mitigation efforts.

The Stone Bridge, originally built in 1907, was the primary link between Portsmouth and Tiverton before the Sakonnet River Bridge opened in 1956.

It had been damaged by several storms over the years, including Hurricane Carol in 1954 — effectively its death kneel.

The abutment was closed to pedestrians several years ago due to its sorry state.

The bridge’s remains on the Tiverton side look much better, as state, federal and private grants totaling $2.5 million helped repair damage to the abutment and create a waterfront park.