The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is a bascule bridge spanning the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut in the United States. It carries vehicle and foot traffic directly into the tourist district of town via Main Street (U.S. Route 1).

History

The counterweighted four bar linkage type bascule bridge was designed by former Otis Elevator Company Chief Engineer Thomas Ellis Brown of New York and built in 1922 by the J. E. FitzGerald Construction Company of New London, Connecticut, according to its historical marker. Its movable span is wide, long, weighs , and employs two concrete-filled counterweights. Until 1928, the bridge carried streetcars of the Groton and Stonington Street Railway.

It is operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and opens for approximately five minutes around 2,200 times per year, carrying an average daily traffic of 11,800. It is driven by two direct current motors, and its span is greased and inspected every one hundred openings or two weeks during the winter. From May 1 to October 31, the bridge opens hourly during daylight at 40 minutes past the hour and on demand. It usually raises to let sailboats and yachts pass under.

Pictures

<gallery>

Image:Mystic river bridge.jpg|The Mystic River Bascule Bridge

Image:mystic bridge up.png|Mystic River Bascule Bridge in full-up position

</gallery>thumb|Located at the center part of the bridge.thumb|Looking at the bridge from the east side of the street.

thumb|Good view of the counter weights.thumb|The plaque that describes when and by whom the bridge was built.

See also

  • List of bascule bridges
  • List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Connecticut
  • List of movable bridges in Connecticut
  • Mystic Pizza

References

  • Webcam showing bascule bridge in Mystic