Leverett Circle Connector Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Leverett Circle Connector Bridge is a highway bridge
over the Charles River
, carrying two lanes each of northbound and southbound traffic. It connects to Interstate 93
in Somerville, Massachusetts
(the "Northern Expressway") at the north end and splits at the south end, providing direct access to both Storrow Drive
and Leverett Circle
in Boston
. The span was built in conjunction with the more dramatic Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge as part of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, widely known as the Big Dig. During construction, the Leverett Circle Connector Bridge was sometimes called "Baby Bridge." The bridge opened for traffic on October 7, 1999, at a cost of $22.27 million.
Also known as the Storrow Drive Connector, it is the largest steel box girder bridge
in the United States
. It was the winner of a July 2001 National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) "prize bridge" Award. Its weaving design was determined by the other major structures involved in the Big Dig but unlike other parts of the project, it was finished eight days ahead of schedule.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
over the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
, carrying two lanes each of northbound and southbound traffic. It connects to Interstate 93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
in Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
(the "Northern Expressway") at the north end and splits at the south end, providing direct access to both Storrow Drive
Storrow Drive
Storrow Drive is a major cross town expressway in Boston, Massachusetts, running south and west from Leverett Circle along the Charles River. It is a parkway—it is restricted to cars; trucks and buses are not permitted on it...
and Leverett Circle
Leverett Circle
Leverett Circle is an intersection in Boston, Massachusetts. Completely rebuilt during the Big Dig, it is no longer a rotary. It marks the confluence of Storrow Drive, Charles River Dam Road, Nashua Street, Charles Street, and Martha Road....
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The span was built in conjunction with the more dramatic Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge as part of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, widely known as the Big Dig. During construction, the Leverett Circle Connector Bridge was sometimes called "Baby Bridge." The bridge opened for traffic on October 7, 1999, at a cost of $22.27 million.
Also known as the Storrow Drive Connector, it is the largest steel box girder bridge
Box girder bridge
A box girder bridge is a bridge in which the main beams comprise girders in the shape of a hollow box. The box girder normally comprises either prestressed concrete, structural steel, or a composite of steel and reinforced concrete. The box is typically rectangular or trapezoidal in cross-section...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was the winner of a July 2001 National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) "prize bridge" Award. Its weaving design was determined by the other major structures involved in the Big Dig but unlike other parts of the project, it was finished eight days ahead of schedule.