Gloucester Drawbridge Replacement June 2021 Progress Recap

Moveable Bascule Span

On Monday June 7, crews closed the channel beneath the Gloucester Drawbridge to install the new southern bascule span. The span is over 80 feet in length and weighs over 150 tons—it was lifted and moved into place using a gantry crane system supported on the temporary work trestle.

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Specialty tradesmen called millwrights adjusted the counterweight and the span’s rack alignment. With proper alignment and balance, the span was able to operate on its own using the auxiliary drive.

Once in place and functional, the gantry crane made the bridge manually operable. This allowed the channel to reopen to marine traffic at the end of the day on Thursday, June 10.

Control Tower

Progress continues in the new control tower, as workers installed the interior staircase.

Crews began on the upper level of the control tower, installing framing and roof trusses. Bridge operators will use the upper level for observation and lookout.

Channel Work

Crews continued installing the fender system. With the timber fender piles installed, workers now shift their focus to the installation of the timber boards that connect the piles and strengthen the overall system.

Once complete, the new fender system will protect the bridge structure and marine traffic in the channel.

West Causeway Work

Workers finished installing steel sheeting for the new west causeway wall. They also placed the majority of the stone backfill that creates the new embankment.

Crews modified the the west abutment at the edge of the west causeway to accommodate the new superstructure. They constructed a new reinforced concrete abutment seat.

Upcoming Work

• Routing of power, signals, and controls along the bridge including installation of a utility bridge to support this effort
• Installation of approach slabs at the west abutment along with backfilling and regrading leading up to the bridge to accommodate the new approach tracks
• Installation of the west approach span
• Construction of the control tower’s upper level and continued installation of electrical, control, and signal equipment

Opening of the new southern barrel and re-establishing commuter rail service to Rockport continues to track for mid to end of September 2021—however, the schedule is subject to change without notice due to weather and other unanticipated events.