The Frances Appleton Bridge is part of the master plan to restore the iconic 1908 Longfellow Bridge across the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge. The older, obsolete pedestrian bridge next to the historic bridge was replaced with this wider, ADA compliant structure that better complements the arches of Longfellow.
The new bridge deck arch is contemporary in appearance and very transparent, in order to not obstruct views of Longfellow Bridge, the river, and parkland. The slender main steel arch span is on the order of 222 feet (68 m) long and are connected to approach ramps that appear to float over the landscape before settling next to the river.
The approach supports are fitted with Cast Connex custom cast steel wye nodes, which complement the architectural language of the 222-ft long main span while providing improved fatigue performance.
Owner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Architects: Rosales + Partners
Structural Engineers: STV, Inc.
General Contractor: White-Skanska-Consigli, J.V.
Steel Fabricator: Newport Industrial Fabrication
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