Mystic River Bascule Bridge

Mystic River Bascule Bridge "Bascule"- French word meaning "seesaw". Present Bridge Constructed in 1922. First Bridge to span Mystic River built in 1885 was a swing bridge.
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The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is a bascule bridge, a type of drawbridge with counterweights, that spans the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut in the United States. The bridge was designed by Thomas Ellis Brown of New York (formerly Chief Engineer of Otis Elevator Company) built in 1920 (see historical marker on site) by the J.E. FitzGerald Construction Company of New London, Connecticut and is

of the Strauss Heel-trunnion type. It has a movable span width of 85 ft (26 m) and a total length of 218 ft (66 m). It has a movable span weight of 660 tons, with two concrete-filled counterweights, each of 230 tons. It is operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and connects the two halves of Mystic, allowing vehicle and foot traffic on Main Street [33 ft wide (10 m)] in the center of the tourist district of town. The bridge carries U.S. Route 1 with an average daily traffic of 11,800. It opens approximately 2,200 times per year, with each opening lasting approximately 5 minutes. The opening of the bridge is driven by two 40 horsepower (30 kW) direct current motors, each weighing 1,400 pounds (635 kg). The bridge is greased and inspected every 100 openings or every two weeks during the summer. From May 1 to October 31 the bridge opens at hourly intervals, 40 minutes past the hour, during daylight hours. Outside of this time it opens on demand.

From the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Bascule Bridge. Saturday Oct 15, 2022  .
10/17/2022

From the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Bascule Bridge. Saturday Oct 15, 2022 .

RespectivelySully-31yrsRod-33yrsNick-35 yrs .Fare Winds!..
07/01/2022

Respectively
Sully-31yrs
Rod-33yrs
Nick-35 yrs .Fare Winds!..

07/01/2022

Rodney Coleman was 30 years old when he first started operating the Mystic drawbridge. Thursday is his last day.

09/02/2019

Takes place September 7th at 2pm

03/14/2019

Rev up for our upcoming Pirate Days with maritime author Eric Jay Dolin’s presentation about the “Golden Age” of piracy in America.

03/04/2019

Passing across the Mystic River drawbridge from Groton to Stonington, or vice versa, is a little like stepping through the looking glass: You're in

New Smyrna drawbridge , Florida
12/24/2018

New Smyrna drawbridge , Florida

10/22/2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Today marks the 30th anniversary of the movie Mystic Pizza! 🎥❤️🍕🎂

10/20/2018

This 183-year-old movable bridge network offers a fascinating look into Chicago history

10/15/2018
09/21/2018

We are so lucky to have front row seats to view these beautiful September Sunsets. Come enjoy the view with us!

A Mystic icon, gone in one day!
09/21/2018

A Mystic icon, gone in one day!

08/06/2018
Blues Monday Concert in the Park...
07/16/2018

Blues Monday Concert in the Park...

05/16/2018

Mystic — The owners of Seaport Marine on Washington Street are proposing a redevelopment of the 11.5-acre site with construction of a second

03/26/2018

The Westerly Sun is a local print and digital daily newspaper covering all local news, sports and community events in the Southern Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut area

03/23/2018
03/09/2018

not soon enough, but it's on the way!!..

Here's some photo's of the progress on the Central Building on Main St. Downtown Mystic.
02/19/2018

Here's some photo's of the progress on the Central Building on Main St. Downtown Mystic.

02/17/2018

Great news everyone! The Budweiser Clydesdales are back for 2018!!!!! Please see www.mysticirishparade.org for more information, sponsorship, registration or to volunteer for our parade.

Spring is around the corner time to celebrate the wearing O the Green!
01/10/2018

Spring is around the corner time to celebrate the wearing O the Green!

some pics of the 1st month of 2018. full moon and solid ice on the river
01/10/2018

some pics of the 1st month of 2018. full moon and solid ice on the river

OH a sad day indeed!!
12/21/2017

OH a sad day indeed!!

Mystic — Patrons boisterously stomped on the ground and danced in circles to the sounds of fiddle, banjo, violin, guitar and upright

Busy day in the old town today!.....  construction, painting, testing, greasing......
11/03/2017

Busy day in the old town today!..... construction, painting, testing, greasing......

Address

Route 1
Mystic, CT
06355

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The Mystic River DrawBridge is a Bascule bridge, a type of drawbridge with overhead counterweights, that spans the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut in the United States. The bridge was designed by Thomas Ellis Brown of New York (formerly Chief Engineer of Otis Elevator Company) built in 1920 (see historical marker on site) by the J.E. FitzGerald Construction Company of New London, Connecticut and is of the Strauss Heel-trunnion type. It has a movable span width of 85 ft (26 m) and a total length of 218 ft (66 m). It has a movable span weight of 660 tons, with two concrete-filled counterweights, each of 230 tons. It is operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and connects the two halves of Mystic, allowing vehicle and foot traffic on Main Street [33 ft wide (10 m)] in the center of the tourist district of town. The bridge carries U.S. Route 1 with an average daily traffic of 11,800 vehicles. The Bridge opens approximately 2,000 times per year, with each opening lasting approximately 6-8 minutes. The opening of the bridge is driven by two 40 horsepower (30 kW) direct current motors, each weighing 1,400 pounds (635 kg). The bridge is greased and inspected every 100 openings or every two weeks during the summer. From May 1 to October 31 the bridge opens at hourly intervals, 40 minutes past the hour, during daylight hours. Outside of this time it opens on demand.

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