Veterans Memorial Bridge (Bristol County, Massachusetts)

This article is about the bridge between Fall River and Somerset, Massachusetts. For the bridge between Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts, see Veterans Memorial Bridge (Essex County, Massachusetts).
Veterans Memorial Bridge

Veterans Memorial Bridge, August 5, 2010
Coordinates 41°43′35.18″N 71°9′6.24″W / 41.7264389°N 71.1517333°W / 41.7264389; -71.1517333 (Veterans Memorial Bridge)Coordinates: 41°43′35.18″N 71°9′6.24″W / 41.7264389°N 71.1517333°W / 41.7264389; -71.1517333 (Veterans Memorial Bridge)
Carries US 6 / Route 138
Crosses Taunton River
Locale Somerset, Massachusetts and Fall River, Massachusetts
Official name Veterans Memorial Bridge
Maintained by MassHighway
Characteristics
Design two-leaf bascule bridge
Longest span 200 feet (61 m)[1]
Clearance below 60 feet (18 m)
History
Construction begin May 17, 2007
Construction end Fall 2011
Opened October 11, 2011

The Veterans Memorial Bridge is a bascule bridge connecting Somerset, Massachusetts and Fall River, Massachusetts. The bridge carries U.S. Route 6 and Route 138 over the Taunton River, with connecting ramps to Route 79, and includes a bike path on its north side. The $290 million bridge was dedicated to area veterans on September 11, 2011.[2] The bike path was also dedicated in a separate ceremony that same day in honor of Pvt. Michael E. Bouthot, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.[3]

The Veterans Memorial Bridge now serves as the pathway for Route 6 and Route 138 to cross the river into Fall River. Other than the Berkley-Dighton Bridge 8½ miles to the north, it is the only non-highway bridge spanning the river between Fall River and Taunton. Along with the Braga Bridge, it is one of the two major crossings of the river. This has led to the bridge having vital importance anytime there is a problem on the Braga; since the northern detour takes approximately twenty miles and the southern detour (over the Mount Hope Bridge and the Sakonnet River Bridge) is over twenty-five miles, it immediately becomes the major path for people coming in and out of the city, and vice versa.

Name

Before being named, this bridge was known as the replacement Brightman Street Bridge.[4] The name "Miguel Corte-Real Bridge" was also suggested for use on the new bridge. On November 13, 2009, Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2009 became law, officially naming this bridge the Veterans Memorial Bridge.[5]

History

The construction site of the new Brightman Street bridge as of June 2008.

Planning for this bridge started no later than 1998, but was delayed due to its funding being siphoned off by the Big Dig project. Construction finally began in May 2007. After much delay, the dedication ceremony for the bridge occurred on September 11, 2011. The westbound lane opened to traffic on September 12, 2011,[6] with the eastbound lanes opening on October 11, 2011.[7]

Bridge features

The Veterans Memorial Bridge features upgrades from the previous Brightman Street Bridge, including a much wider walkway/bikeway and fishing pier. The center span is also significantly taller and wider than the Brightman's, decreasing the frequency of traffic delays from the bridge opening due to a passing boat underneath.

Center span under construction, August 2010

See also

References

  1. ↑ Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District Archived July 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Herald News, September 12, 2011 Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Honor the Fallen
  4. ↑ MassHighway project status page
  5. ↑ Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2009: An Act Designating a Certain Bridge in the City of Fall River and the Town of Somerset as the Veterans Memorial Bridge
  6. ↑ Herald News, August 8, 2011 Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Herald News, October 11, 2011 Archived October 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
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