42°21′16.3″N 71°2′58.0″W / 42.354528°N 71.049444°W
The Northern Avenue Bridge, also known as the Old Northern Avenue Bridge, is a bridge that spans Fort Point Channel Boston, Massachusetts. Built in 1908, it was closed to vehicle traffic in 1997 and operated as a pedestrian bridge until December 2014 when it was closed after inspectors found that thirteen floor beams were unsafe for pedestrians. [1] In an October 26, 2015 letter, the Coast Guard informed the City of Boston that the bridge was a 'hazard to navigation' due to the risk of it falling into the Fort Point Channel and requested removal of its most vulnerable portion. [2] The center span of the truss also carried a single track for the Union Freight Railroad, although it was designed for two tracks. [3] From 1912 to 1948, the bridge abutted a floating firehouse for Engine 44 of the Boston Fire Department. [4] Following its closure as a road bridge, various redevelopment schemes have been proposed for the bridge, as well as outright demolition of the span. [5]
On January 20, 2016, the Boston Globe reported that the City of Boston will spend $100 million to reopen the bridge, as part of its agreement to bring General Electric's headquarters to the South Boston Waterfront. [6] Two days later, the Globe reported that the bridge would instead be removed, and possibly replaced. [7] [8]
Later in the spring, the City of Boston and the Boston Society of Architects sponsored an "ideas competition" for reconstruction or replacement of the bridge. [9] [10] [11]
In December 2019, city officials announced that the bridge would be rebuilt for use solely by pedestrians and bicyclists. [12]
Updated plans were announced in May 2020; design was expected to be finalized by the end of 2020 and construction to begin in 2021. [13] However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resignation of Mayor Marty Walsh. [14]
42°21′16.3″N 71°2′58.0″W / 42.354528°N 71.049444°W
The Northern Avenue Bridge, also known as the Old Northern Avenue Bridge, is a bridge that spans Fort Point Channel Boston, Massachusetts. Built in 1908, it was closed to vehicle traffic in 1997 and operated as a pedestrian bridge until December 2014 when it was closed after inspectors found that thirteen floor beams were unsafe for pedestrians. [1] In an October 26, 2015 letter, the Coast Guard informed the City of Boston that the bridge was a 'hazard to navigation' due to the risk of it falling into the Fort Point Channel and requested removal of its most vulnerable portion. [2] The center span of the truss also carried a single track for the Union Freight Railroad, although it was designed for two tracks. [3] From 1912 to 1948, the bridge abutted a floating firehouse for Engine 44 of the Boston Fire Department. [4] Following its closure as a road bridge, various redevelopment schemes have been proposed for the bridge, as well as outright demolition of the span. [5]
On January 20, 2016, the Boston Globe reported that the City of Boston will spend $100 million to reopen the bridge, as part of its agreement to bring General Electric's headquarters to the South Boston Waterfront. [6] Two days later, the Globe reported that the bridge would instead be removed, and possibly replaced. [7] [8]
Later in the spring, the City of Boston and the Boston Society of Architects sponsored an "ideas competition" for reconstruction or replacement of the bridge. [9] [10] [11]
In December 2019, city officials announced that the bridge would be rebuilt for use solely by pedestrians and bicyclists. [12]
Updated plans were announced in May 2020; design was expected to be finalized by the end of 2020 and construction to begin in 2021. [13] However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resignation of Mayor Marty Walsh. [14]