Talk:Charlestown Bridge

Rail use

It should be mentioned that the reason for the strange shape of the trusswork is the result of the Boston Elevated Railway (later Orange line) which crossed the bridge above the road deck. Also, through the middle truss on the deck were the tracks for the Union Freight Railroad which ran along Atlantic Ave and served various industries along the waterfront. Parcanman (talk) 06:26, 28 June 2012 (UTC)

Traffic configuration

Across the width of the bridge, there are three sections that appear to be able to carry traffic, which appear to be two lanes wide each. Yesterday evening, the middle section was closed off. Was the bridge constructed with the intent that there would be two northbound car lanes, two southbound car lanes, and two lanes of streetcar tracks? Or is this an intentional extra two lanes so that part of the bridge can be closed for maintenance? Or is the bridge configured for four lanes in the busy direction during rush hour?

(It should be noted that there is also a sidewalk on each side. The east side sidewalk is currently an open metal grid; you can look down and see the river under the grid.) JNW2 19:10, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Still stand

This bridge wasn't demolished after Zakim bridge was complete?--I Am Nash (talk) 18:42, 7 December 2008 (UTC)

The Charlestown Bridge is a street bridge which connects local streets in the North End and Charlestown sections of Boston. Between the Zakim and Charlestown Bridges there was the elevated Central Artery Charles River double-deck highway bridge, which was demolished in 2004. A photo of that bridge can be found at http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/background/bridge.html, immediately to the left of the Zakim as it was under construction. The bridge described in this article is also visible in that photo, just beyond the old double-deck bridge. Sswonk (talk) 21:17, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

That's the Charlestown High Bridge that was replaced by the Zakim. -- Beland (talk) 04:33, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

Photos

Many photos are out of copyright; see the External Links section for possible sources. -- Beland (talk) 04:33, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

Possible future copy and photo

A few things that may possibly be of interest for which sources may be available:

The questions asked in the first talk page section regarding the lane configurations. To my knowledge the central (elevated streetcar) lanes are permanently closed but appear as though they may eventually become active to motorists, see Google Street View images to see what I mean.

The bridge is very heavily used by pedestrians for daily walking commutes, along with its status as part of the Freedom Trail.

The bridge is is used as a good vantage point for viewing harbor activities such as fireworks, tall ships and USS Constitution sailings when they occur.

What kind of photo is needed? I can try to take one this week, maybe from North End Playground? Sswonk (talk) 19:09, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

I was figuring to get there next weekend to check this bridge out, but perhaps you can save me the trouble. I'm on the Connecticut River, so it's a bit of a trek.

The best sources are likely in the state Transportation Library, which is only open during business hours, which is a problem for me. - Denimadept (talk) 19:30, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

I was actually thinking it would be neat to add some historic photographs, like the ones at the link above. For example, showing the elevated railway while it was still in place, or showing the old Charles River Bridge at this location. -- Beland (talk) 14:58, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

It would be neat, yes. See Boston's Bridges. This person got images from various places, including the state Transportation Library. If someone can get there, they'll have access to all sorts of sources useful for documenting any public works project in Massachusetts, I figure. I'd like to save time and just copy the whole thing. ...the library, that is, not the book. - Denimadept (talk) 15:17, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

I didn't realize you were looking for historical photos. The one at top left below would still be a nice one for an infobox. I am available to take a trip to the Transportation Library via the T but it would be better if I had a little guidance on how to use the library resources, if it will save Denim having to use a day off. Let me know and I can also enable my email (briefly, I prefer to keep it closed) if you have a list of resources/requests. This is not a problem, I enjoy going into the city when I can so this is a good reason. Sswonk (talk) 20:14, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

Both are good. The top left one is good for present-day. But the reference to an image with the rail still present would be historical, no? Also the one with the Warren Bridge still present. - Denimadept (talk) 20:31, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

Images taken June 16, 2009

Sswonk (talk) 02:31, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

I rather like that top left one. Shows the structure, both top and bottom, with less distractions. - Denimadept (talk) 04:13, 17 June 2009 (UTC)