Mystic River Bascule Bridge

Mystic River Bascule Bridge

Facing west on the bridge
Coordinates 41°21′17″N 71°58′7″W / 41.35472°N 71.96861°W / 41.35472; -71.96861Coordinates: 41°21′17″N 71°58′7″W / 41.35472°N 71.96861°W / 41.35472; -71.96861
Carries US 1
Crosses Mystic River
Locale Mystic, Connecticut
Official name Mystic River Bascule Bridge
Owner ConnDOT
Characteristics
Design Bascule
Total length 218 ft (66 m)
Width 85 ft (26 m)
History
Designer Thomas Ellis Brown
Constructed by J. E. FitzGerald Construction Company
Opened 1920
Statistics
Daily traffic 11,800

The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is a bascule bridge spanning the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut in the United States. It carries vehicle and foot traffic directly into the tourist district of town via 33 ft-wide (10 m) Main Street (U.S. Route 1).

History

The Strauss Heel-trunnion type bridge was designed by former Otis Elevator Company Chief Engineer Thomas Ellis Brown of New York and built in 1920 by the J. E. FitzGerald Construction Company of New London, Connecticut, according to its historical marker. Its movable span is 85 ft (26 m) wide, 218 ft (66 m) long, weighs 660 short tons (589 long tons; 599 t), and employs two 230 short tons (205 long tons; 209 t) concrete-filled counterweights. Until 1928, the bridge carried streetcars of the Groton and Stonington Street Railway.

It is operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and offers and opens for approximately five minutes around 2,200 times per year, carrying an average daily traffic of 11,800. Driven by two 1,400 pounds (640 kg) 40 horsepower (30 kW) direct current motors, its span is greased and inspected every 100 openings or two weeks during the winter. From May 1 to October 31 the bridge opens hourly during daylight at 40 minutes past the hour and on demand.

Pictures

Located at the center part of the bridge.
Looking at the bridge from the east side of the street.
Good view of the counter weights.
The plaque that describes when and by whom the bridge was built.

See also

References

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