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Education Information - Cape Cod Canal
Bridges
Spanning the original Cape Cod Canal, constructed by New
York financier August Belmont, were two twin cantilever draw
type highway bridges and a draw type bascule railroad bridge
with openings over the water of only 140 feet. These narrow
passages, combined with the swift currents and winding approaches,
made mariners leery of using the waterway. Going around the
tip of the cape, however, added up to 165 miles to their trip
through waters where many ships had already sunk. Since the
drawbridges could only be crossed when there was no marine
traffic, automobiles going to and from Cape Cod also experienced
delays.
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When the Corps of Engineers was assigned responsibility
for the waterway in 1928, a series of improvements began,
including the replacement of the three bridges.
On September 6, 1933, the Public Works Administration (the agency
responsible for managing Emergency Relief funds during the Great
Depression) authorized construction of three bridges over the
Canal. Contractors began laying the bridge foundations in December
1933. In accordance with Public Works Administration regulations,
work was distributed widely; and, wherever practical, hand labor
was used instead of machinery to provide as many jobs as possible.
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The two highway bridges were designed and Fay,
Spofford and Thorndike of Boston supervised construction.
They retained the Boston architectural firm of Cram and
Ferguson to advise upon architectural details and the
appearance of the structures.
The Sagamore Bridge was constructed about two and one half miles
from the eastern end of the Canal land cut, and the Bourne Bridge
about one and two thirds miles from the western end of the land
cut. The bridges each have a main span measuring 616 feet between
centers of support and a vertical clearance of 135 feet above
high water. The structures differ in the number of approach
spans. The roadway width of the bridges, designed for four lane
traffic, is 40 feet between curbs. Built simultaneously, the
bridges were dedicated on June 22, 1935, and opened to traffic.
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The Bourne Bridge won the American Institute of Steel
Construction's Class "A" Award of Merit as
"The Most Beautiful Bridge Built During 1934."
The vertical lift railroad bridge, with a 544 foot horizontal
span, was constructed close to the western end of the
land cut, near the site of the old bridge. At the time
of its construction, it was the longest lift span in
the world, supported by 271 foot high towers. The span
is normally kept in the raised position; 135 feet above
mean high water. The New York firms of Parsons, Klapp,
Brinckerhoff, and Douglas and Mead and White prepared
plans for the bridge. Work began on December 18,
1933, and almost two years later the first train rolled
across it on December 29, 1935.
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Over the years, minor repair work, such as painting of the superstructures
and resurfacing of the roadways, was accomplished on the bridges.
In 1980, however, major rehabilitation of the two highway bridges
began. The work included replacement of the decks, repaving,
repainting, installation of twelve foot high suicide deterrent
fences, and, on the Sagamore Bridge, replacement of the hanger
cables. The rehabilitation costs were $12 million for the Bourne
Bridge, and $8 million for the Sagamore Bridge. Hanger cables
on the Bourne Bridge were replaced in January 1986.
Each year, more than 35 million vehicles pass over these
two bridges, which provide the only land link between Cape
Cod and the rest of Massachusetts.
Operation of the railroad bridge is completely funded by
the Corps of Engineers. For many years trains were the primary
means of transportation to and from the Cape for people and
goods. By the late 1960s, however, train trips across the
bridge had dropped off significantly. Currently, almost exclusively
trash trains servicing the Cape now that most landfills are
closed use the bridge.
70 Years Ago
Dedication ceremonies for the bridges were held on June 22,
1935. More than 8,000 people participated in a parade, which
began at Trading Post Corners on the south side of the Canal.
Led by Major General Daniel Needham, participants included
troops from his 26th Yankee Division, state troopers, floats
from a number of communities, bands, drum and bugle corps,
fire apparatus and veterans organizations.
Governors James Michael Curley of Massachusetts and Theodore
Francis Green of Rhode Island and Mrs. August Belmont, widow
of the original Canal builder August Perry Belmont, were among
the dignitaries.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 were reported to have viewed
the parade along its 7 1/2 mile route across both bridges.
At the Bourne Bridge, Governor Curley performed the ceremonial
ribbon-cutting honors. The Massachusetts governor lavished
praise on the entire Canal project, stating: "The construction
of these beautiful bridges and the expenditure of nearly $40,000,000
for the development of this inland waterway is bound to contribute
to the happiness and well being of the people of Massachusetts."
At the Sagamore Bridge, Mrs. Belmont severed the ribbon, while
aerial shows went on overhead.
Bourne Town Hall was the site of a Ball on Friday night,
and Saturday evening a banquet was held at the State Pier,
with Governor Curley as principal speaker. The town also hosted
another dance that evening, while the SS. Boston of the Eastern
Steamship Line passed through the Canal, ablaze with twinkling
lights, waving pennants and whistles blowing in salute to
the new bridges.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proud of our more than
seven decades of service to the Cape Cod area. The work we
have accomplished since being assigned responsibility for
the world-famous Cape Cod Canal in 1928 is significant. Improving
and maintaining the Canal including the three bridges that
span it has been a unique and rewarding challenge. Our efforts
have contributed to the economy and quality of life in the
region, and to those who live, work, and play here.
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