First toll bridge opens in 1812 over the Fore River
The 2004 Temporary Acrow bridge is not the first temporary bridge. The temporary bridge has been called a flimsy erector
by many users. Back in 1933-1936, a temporary swing bridge was erected to manage traffic for the new 1936 Art Deco
Bascule. The temporary bridge traffic was routed under the old coal chute that delivered coal to the Edgar Station Edison
power plant.
by many users. Back in 1933-1936, a temporary swing bridge was erected to manage traffic for the new 1936 Art Deco
Bascule. The temporary bridge traffic was routed under the old coal chute that delivered coal to the Edgar Station Edison
power plant.
Beam (Width) of ships built in Quincy Length (max)
108' USS Massachusetts - BB-59
109' USS Wasp CV-7
160' LNG carrier - (Zodiacs built at Quincy)
Beam (Width) of tankers entering Quincy
106' Panamax Class tanker
160' Panamax II Class
Beam (Width) of bridges, canals
unkn 1812 Wooden toll bridge
100' 1902 Steel swing bridge
125' 1912 Draw widening
175' 1937 Art Deco Bascule bridge
110' Panama Canal
160' Panama expansion project - coming soon
108' USS Massachusetts - BB-59
109' USS Wasp CV-7
160' LNG carrier - (Zodiacs built at Quincy)
Beam (Width) of tankers entering Quincy
106' Panamax Class tanker
160' Panamax II Class
Beam (Width) of bridges, canals
unkn 1812 Wooden toll bridge
100' 1902 Steel swing bridge
125' 1912 Draw widening
175' 1937 Art Deco Bascule bridge
110' Panama Canal
160' Panama expansion project - coming soon
VUME - Photo Journey of a 1930's "Art Deco Super Highway Bridge"
Fore River Bridges Vintage Years - Before the 1936 Bascule
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
This vintage WWI view is from inside the
shipyard. Several ships are in process and the
original swing is centered in the background.
www.loc.gov
shipyard. Several ships are in process and the
original swing is centered in the background.
www.loc.gov
Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright of Sackrabbit.com 2012 VUME is the trademark of Sackrabbit.com
View of the original 125'
swing bridge.
swing bridge.
A view of the temporary swing
bridge and the bascule
underway.
bridge and the bascule
underway.
Aerial view of the original
swing bridge.
swing bridge.
| 1929 |
| 1935 |
| 1932 |
| 1918 |
The set is posted courtesy of local photographer Jack Cliffords collection.
The first bridge over the Fore River opened in 1812 and was attended by John Adams. The next hundred years the
wooden toll bridge was rebuilt and widened several times. A steel swing bridge built right at the Fore River Engine
Company was erected in 1902 to accommodate the ships that were being constructed at the shipyard. When plans for a
new bridge were set, the 600 tons of swing bridge was floated into the Fore River to be used as a temporary bridge. The
bascule was then constructed in place,opening in May 1936. By the 1950' talks were in the way for a new bridge. In the
1970's the bridge was just 6 years away.
After countless millions of $$ and numerous studies, finally, sixty years from the first talks and at the permanent loss of
the shipbuilding industry in Quincy, a new bridge may be on the horizon.
wooden toll bridge was rebuilt and widened several times. A steel swing bridge built right at the Fore River Engine
Company was erected in 1902 to accommodate the ships that were being constructed at the shipyard. When plans for a
new bridge were set, the 600 tons of swing bridge was floated into the Fore River to be used as a temporary bridge. The
bascule was then constructed in place,opening in May 1936. By the 1950' talks were in the way for a new bridge. In the
1970's the bridge was just 6 years away.
After countless millions of $$ and numerous studies, finally, sixty years from the first talks and at the permanent loss of
the shipbuilding industry in Quincy, a new bridge may be on the horizon.
The set is posted courtesy of local photographer Jack Cliffords collection.
Sixty years of talking - Permanent loss of shipbuilding
688'
741'
1080'
.
1050'
1400'
all dimensiosn are approximate
| ***New construction updates coming*** |