Fore River Bridge
The final days, piece by piece
loaded onto barges heading to
China for recycling.
The final days, piece by piece
loaded onto barges heading to
China for recycling.
Counterweight
Time has taken it's toll. The
giant counterweights have
eroded beyond practical repair.
Time has taken it's toll. The
giant counterweights have
eroded beyond practical repair.
Fore River Bridge 1933-2004
VUME - Anatomy of the Fore River Bridge
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An industrial icon of the 20th century; the bascule design Fore River Bridge, formerly
located at 42.2450° N, 70.9683° W is gone but not forgotten. The Fore River bridge
began construction in 1933 under the direction of Governor James Michael Curley
was completed in 1936. It's riveted steel, concrete and granite construction are
indicative of an industrial era almost gone except for the remaining withering
evidence of structure like these. It spanned the Fore River, a waterway from Boston
Harbor to the inner access and water works of Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy.
The heavy industries of the area were dependant on it's ability to raise and lower
flawlessly. The upper left photo shows the Fore River Bridges, the 1933 bascule in
the foreground and the temporary span in the background.
Many generations have had their lives impacted by this bridge. Thousand of
commuters have sat idle to wait the passing of an oil tanker or warship. While in
wait, the old Edison, Edgar Station, power plant sat on the Weymouth side, the old
Proctor and Gamble factory on the Quincy side, each a silent witness to the
thousands of bridge raising's. The bridge took with it in its wake several lives during
the construction, accidents on the treacherous metal grid to even suicides.
Over the years, the Fore River Bridge has witnessed the passing of every warship
built at the former General Dynamics Quincy Shipyard, some of the most notable,
the USS Massachusetts and the USS Wasp. During the last days of the
drawbridge, 50,000 vehicles a day were carried to their destination. The USS
Salem, CA-139 is currently berthed near its original spot the keel was laid. The
drawbridge was raised for each of the massive LNG tankers that were built during
the last years of the shipyard.
located at 42.2450° N, 70.9683° W is gone but not forgotten. The Fore River bridge
began construction in 1933 under the direction of Governor James Michael Curley
was completed in 1936. It's riveted steel, concrete and granite construction are
indicative of an industrial era almost gone except for the remaining withering
evidence of structure like these. It spanned the Fore River, a waterway from Boston
Harbor to the inner access and water works of Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy.
The heavy industries of the area were dependant on it's ability to raise and lower
flawlessly. The upper left photo shows the Fore River Bridges, the 1933 bascule in
the foreground and the temporary span in the background.
Many generations have had their lives impacted by this bridge. Thousand of
commuters have sat idle to wait the passing of an oil tanker or warship. While in
wait, the old Edison, Edgar Station, power plant sat on the Weymouth side, the old
Proctor and Gamble factory on the Quincy side, each a silent witness to the
thousands of bridge raising's. The bridge took with it in its wake several lives during
the construction, accidents on the treacherous metal grid to even suicides.
Over the years, the Fore River Bridge has witnessed the passing of every warship
built at the former General Dynamics Quincy Shipyard, some of the most notable,
the USS Massachusetts and the USS Wasp. During the last days of the
drawbridge, 50,000 vehicles a day were carried to their destination. The USS
Salem, CA-139 is currently berthed near its original spot the keel was laid. The
drawbridge was raised for each of the massive LNG tankers that were built during
the last years of the shipyard.
Merging
In 2003, the old bridge, left,
was quickly being overstepped
by the new "temporary" bridge,
right.
In 2003, the old bridge, left,
was quickly being overstepped
by the new "temporary" bridge,
right.
Anatomy of a bridge
The new "temporary" bridge has footings set from barges in the Fore River. The
Quincy Shipyards last breath gasps from the right. The new energy plant has yet to
materialize in the background.
The new "temporary" bridge has footings set from barges in the Fore River. The
Quincy Shipyards last breath gasps from the right. The new energy plant has yet to
materialize in the background.
All images are copyright of Sackrabbit.com 2007 VUME is the trademark of Sackrabbit.com
Click here for a tour
of the control tower.
of the control tower.
The new bridge is under fast track development to be completed in 2016.