Driving Across The The Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge from Chelsea to Boston, Massachusetts

The Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge, formerly known as the Mystic River Bridge, is a significant cantilever truss bridge spanning over two miles (3.2 km) from Boston to Chelsea over the Mystic River in Massachusetts. As the largest bridge in New England, it carries U.S. Route 1 and plays a crucial role in the region's transportation network. Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the bridge has a rich history, intricate engineering, and a notable impact on the communities it connects.
Construction and Design
Early Conception and Construction

The bridge was constructed between 1948 and 1950, officially opening to traffic on February 2, 1950. It was built to replace the former Chelsea Bridge and was initially operated by the Mystic River Bridge Authority. The bridge features a 36-foot (11 m)-wide roadway, accommodating three lanes of traffic on each of its two levels, with northbound traffic on the lower level and southbound traffic on the upper level.
Structural Details

The Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge is a three-span cantilevered truss bridge with a total length of 1,525 feet (465 m). The center span is the longest at 800 feet (240 m), and the maximum truss height is 115 feet (35 m). The bridge includes 36 approach spans to the north and 32 to the south. To accommodate the now-unused toll plaza, the roadway is seven lanes wide between the shortest span (439 feet; 134 m) and the center. The northbound toll plaza closed in the 1980s, and the southbound toll plaza ceased operations on July 21, 2014.
Key Specifications

Total Length: 1,525 feet (465 m)
Center Span Length: 800 feet (240 m)
Maximum Truss Height: 115 feet (35 m)
Roadway Width: 36 feet (11 m)
Traffic Lanes: Three lanes on each of the two levels
Operator: Massachusetts Department of Transportation

These specifications highlight the bridge's robust design and its capacity to support heavy traffic loads efficiently.
Historical Background
The Chelsea Bridge

Before the Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge, transport between Boston and Winnisimmet (later Chelsea) was facilitated by the Winnisimmet Ferry. In 1803, the Salem Turnpike extended across the Mystic River to Charlestown, connecting to downtown Boston via the Charles River Bridge. The original Mystic River Bridge (Chelsea Bridge) had two draw spans and cost $53,000 (equivalent to $1,310,000 in 2023) to construct. The Boston and Chelsea Railroad opened a single horsecar track over the bridge on November 20, 1858. The bridge became toll-free on November 9, 1869, when it and the turnpike became state property.
Evolution and Upgrades

Over the years, the Chelsea Bridge underwent numerous upgrades and repairs. In 1880, Chelsea paid Boston $25,000 (equivalent to $678,000 in 2023) to maintain the bridge's portion within Chelsea permanently. The bridge saw several draw span replacements and expansions to accommodate increased traffic and larger ships. Notably, in 1913, a new steel truss swing span, claimed to be the largest in New England, was constructed. This span could rotate to provide two 125-foot (38 m)-wide channels for oceangoing ships.
Replacement and Transition

As the New England Gas and Coke Company prepared to open its new plant upstream, further widening of the north draw became necessary. After several replacements and repairs, the Chelsea Bridge's utility waned, leading to the construction of the new Mystic River Bridge. The old Chelsea Bridge remained partially intact for truck access to Mystic Wharf while the northern section was closed but still carried a water main across the Mystic River. The bridge's construction was eventually funded and operated by the new Massachusetts Port Authority in 1956.

In 1967, the bridge was renamed in honor of Maurice J. Tobin, former Boston mayor and Massachusetts governor. Construction began during his term as governor (1945–1947). Tobin later served as Secretary of Labor under President Harry Truman before his death in 1953. The bridge continued to operate under various authorities, with tolls being adjusted over the years to cover maintenance costs and contribute to projects like the Big Dig.
Legislation passed to transfer the bridge from Massport to the newly formed Massachusetts Department of Transportation, effective January 1, 2010. On July 21, 2014, the bridge's tollbooths were closed and eventually removed to implement an all-electronic and cashless tolling system. This system uses E-ZPass and "pay-by-mail" options, with the latter incurring a surcharge. In 2016, the $2.50 southbound toll was replaced with $1.25 tolls in both directions.
Recent Renovations and Incidents
Renovation Projects

In September 2017, MassDOT announced a three-year, $41.6 million project to restore the bridge deck, repair steel, and paint a portion of the bridge. The work, conducted from April through November in 2018, 2019, and 2020, aimed to maintain the bridge's structural integrity and appearance.

Видео Driving Across The The Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge from Chelsea to Boston, Massachusetts канала gatorpics09