Evelyn Moakley Bridge

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Evelyn Moakley Bridge
Fan Pier and Moakley Courthouse from across Fort Point Channel, 2008.jpg
Partial view of Evelyn Moakley Bridge (center) and Northern Avenue Bridge (left) in 2008
Coordinates 42°21′14.05″N71°2′59.20″W / 42.3539028°N 71.0497778°W / 42.3539028; -71.0497778
CarriesSeaport Boulevard
Crosses Fort Point Channel
Locale Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other name(s)New Northern Avenue Bridge
Named for Evelyn Moakley
Characteristics
DesignHaunched girder bridge
Material Prestressed concrete
Total length191.17 metres (627.2 ft)
Width29.53 metres (96.9 ft)
No. of spans3
Piers in water2
No. of lanes 4
History
BuiltDecember 1989 – 1996
OpenedMarch 1996 (eastbound)
October 1996 (two-way)
Replaces Northern Avenue Bridge
Location
Evelyn Moakley Bridge

The Evelyn Moakley Bridge is a bridge that crosses Fort Point Channel in Boston, Massachusetts. It connects Downtown Boston to the Seaport District.

Contents

History

Congressional approval for a new bridge to span Boston's Fort Point Channel was granted in late 1981. [1] Such approval was necessary due to impact on a navigable waterway. [1] Construction began in December 1989, [1] and completion was initially scheduled for October 1992. [2] Anthony's Pier 4, a popular Boston restaurant, was cited by The Boston Globe as "possibly the strongest single force behind the project." [2] [a]

The bridge was initially known as the New Northern Avenue Bridge, due to its location adjacent to the "old" Northern Avenue Bridge, which also provided vehicle access across the Fort Point Channel and had opened in 1908. [3] [b] The new bridge was constructed parallel to and about 250 feet (76 m) [c] south of the old bridge. While the old structure had been built as a swing bridge, the new structure was constructed as a fixed span.

The bridge opened to eastbound traffic by early March 1996, [4] and opened to two-way traffic in October 1996. [5]

On October 4, 1996, the bridge was formally named for the wife of Congressman Joe Moakley, [6] following her death from cancer, and after Moakley declined an offer to have the bridge named in his honor. [7]

At the eastern end of the bridge is the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse (completed in 1999) and the Seaport Shrine (completed in 2017). [8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Anthony's Pier 4 closed in 2013 and the building was demolished in 2016–17.
  2. ↑ The Northern Avenue Bridge also provided rail access, which was in use circa 1918–1970.
  3. ↑ As measured center to center.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kenney, Michael (April 10, 1994). "New Northern Avenue bridge won't be ready on schedule". The Boston Globe . p. City 9. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 "A case for water transport". The Boston Globe . December 23, 1989. p. 18. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Nichols, Webb (March 2, 1997). "New Northern Avenue Bridge an insult to Boston's beauties". The Boston Globe . p. D3. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Kenney, Michael (March 10, 1996). "Financial district on an eastward tack". The Boston Globe . p. 12 City. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Bridge will open on Northern Ave". The Boston Globe . October 3, 1996. p. F8. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Dedication of the Evelyn Moakley Bridge, 4 April 1996". Moakley Archive & Institute. October 4, 1996. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ Black, Chris (October 2, 1996). "Rebuilt span renamed for Mrs. Moakley". The Boston Globe . p. A9. Retrieved March 25, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Evelyn Moakley Bridge Topo Map in Suffolk County, Massachusetts". www.anyplaceamerica.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
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