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Schell Bridge

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Coordinates: 42°42′44″N 72°27′12″W / 42.71222°N 72.45333°W / 42.71222; -72.45333
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Schell Bridge
Coordinates42°42′44″N 72°27′12″W / 42.71222°N 72.45333°W / 42.71222; -72.45333
CrossesConnecticut River
LocaleNorthfield, Massachusetts
ID numberMUN236002100
Characteristics
DesignPennsylvania (Petit) truss bridge
MaterialSteel
Total length515 feet (157 m)
Width19 feet (5.8 m)
Longest span352 feet (107 m)
History
DesignerEdward S. Shaw
Construction start1901
Construction end1903
Opened1903 (1903)
Closed1985
Location
Map

The Schell Memorial Bridge is a steel cantilever Pennsylvania (Petit) truss bridge spanning the Connecticut River in the town of Northfield, Massachusetts. Designed by Edward S. Shaw, the bridge was built by the New England Structural Company of East Everett, Massachusetts. Construction began in 1901 and was completed in 1903. In 1985, due to advanced deterioration of the steel truss members, the bridge was barricaded and abandoned.[1] The Schell Bridge is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

Despite recent efforts by preservationists to save the historic bridge, demolition of the bridge is currently being planned for the winter of 2018-2019 by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.[3]

After initially being scheduled for demolition by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 2007 or 2008, efforts by local preservationists to save the historical landmark delayed the proposed demolition.[4] In 2013, a group called "Friends of the Schell Bridge", which had been dedicated to saving the bridge, reversed course and sided with the state in favor of demolishing the historic bridge.[5]

Preservation effort

A year-long engineering study was performed by the Picker Engineering School at Smith College, which determined that the bridge is structurally sound and is a good candidate for rehabilitation.[4] There has been no accessible bridge crossing between East Northfield and West Northfield since the closing of the bridge in 1985, besides the large Route 10 bridge a mile to the South. Northfield is the only town in Franklin County to be divided by the Connecticut River.

It has been proposed that, if preserved, the bridge will be reopened only to travel by foot, bicycle, snowmobile, and emergency vehicle. It would be integrated into the tri-state rails-to-trails initiative connecting a series of recreational trails in northern Massachusetts, southwestern New Hampshire, and southeastern Vermont.

MassDOT has decided to replace the bridge. Refurbishing it would cost roughly $39M, whereas replacement would cost more like $16.3M. The form of the replacement is under consideration.[6]

  • This 2007 photograph shows a steel plate across the east portal of the Schell bridge. A similar one is on the west portal, since the bridge deck is rusting through. The top of the plate reads "Where the sidewalk ends." The plate has a "NO TRESPASSING" sign bolted to it as well.
    This 2007 photograph shows a steel plate across the east portal of the Schell bridge. A similar one is on the west portal, since the bridge deck is rusting through. The top of the plate reads "Where the sidewalk ends." The plate has a "NO TRESPASSING" sign bolted to it as well.
  • View of the metal barriers while on Schell bridge. The barriers were put up to prevent people from crossing the bridge, but many (young) townies use it as a place to escape, especially during the summer, when many jump into the river.
    View of the metal barriers while on Schell bridge. The barriers were put up to prevent people from crossing the bridge, but many (young) townies use it as a place to escape, especially during the summer, when many jump into the river.
  • View of Schell Bridge facing the east bank of the Connecticut River.
    View of Schell Bridge facing the east bank of the Connecticut River.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bennett, Lola (August 1990). "Schell Memorial Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress.
  2. ^ Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. "National Bridge Inventory Data Sheet - 1992 Inventory. Rep. No. MUN236002100" (PDF). HistoricBridges.org. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. ^ "Project 607588: Northfield - Bridge Removal, N-22-002, Schell Bridge over the Connecticut River & Replacement with Pedestrian Bridge". Project Information. Massachusetts Department of Transportation. July 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Spaulding, Maureen; Ross, Sue (2007). "Schell Memorial Bridge Threatened" (PDF). Society for Industrial Archeology Newsletter. 36 (2): 4–5.
  5. ^ "Schell Bridge". HistoricBridges.org. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  6. ^ Ashline, Shelby (13 October 2016). "State: Schell Bridge replacement to start in 2021". Greenfield Recorder. Greenfield, Massachusetts: Newspapers of New England. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
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