Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Bridge |
{{Infobox Bridge |
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|bridge_name= Braga Bridge |
|bridge_name= Braga Bridge |
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|image= Braga Bridge. |
|image= Braga Bridge, 2012 (Cropped).jpg |
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|caption= The Braga Bridge as seen from |
|caption= The Braga Bridge as seen from Fall River, MA |
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|official_name=Charles M. Braga Jr. Bridge |
|official_name=Charles M. Braga Jr. Bridge |
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|carries=[[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)|I-195]] |
|carries=[[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)|I-195]] |
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|length={{convert|5780|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
|length={{convert|5780|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
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|width={{convert|101.3|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
|width={{convert|101.3|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
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|height= {{convert|254|ft}} (Height of towers) <ref>http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/</ref> |
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|height= |
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|load= |
|load= |
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|clearance= |
|clearance= |
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|below={{convert|135|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
|below={{convert|135|ft}}<ref name="masshighway" /> |
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|traffic= 80,000 - 100,000 vehicles per day<ref>http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/</ref> |
|traffic= 80,000 - 100,000 vehicles per day<ref>http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/</ref> |
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|cost= $22 million <ref>http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/</ref> |
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|begin= |
|begin= |
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|complete= |
|complete= |
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|open=1965, 1989 |
|open=1965, 1989 |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[Image:Braga Bridge Under Construction.jpg|thumb|250px|left| The Braga Bridge under construction]] |
[[Image:Braga Bridge Under Construction.jpg|thumb|250px|left| The Braga Bridge under construction]] |
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Planning began in the 1950's for a new bridge to ease the congestion of the nearby [[Brightman Street Bridge]], as well as to carry the proposed "Cape Cod Expressway" over the Taunton River. In 1959, the role of the new bridge was changed to carrying the new Interstate 195 over the Taunton River, west to [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]]. Construction of the bridge started in 1959 and finished in the spring of 1966. With a total span of {{convert|5780|ft|m}}, and standing {{convert|135|ft|m}} over high water in the Taunton River, the Braga Bridge easily |
Planning began in the 1950's for a new bridge to ease the congestion of the nearby [[Brightman Street Bridge]], as well as to carry the proposed "Cape Cod Expressway" over the Taunton River. In 1959, the role of the new bridge was changed to carrying the new Interstate 195 over the Taunton River, west to [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]]. Construction of the bridge started in 1959 and finished in the spring of 1966. The bridge was named after Charles M. Braga, a Fall River native of [[Portuguese American]] descent who was killed in the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. |
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==Specifications== |
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With a total span of {{convert|5780|ft|m}}, and standing {{convert|135|ft|m}} over high water in the Taunton River, the Braga Bridge easily accommodates the high-traffic shipping lane in the river. It is approximately {{convert|101|ft|m}} wide, enough for six lanes of traffic. |
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[[File:Braga bridge paint job.jpg|thumb|Blue paint job almost complete, July 2011]] |
[[File:Braga bridge paint job.jpg|thumb|Blue paint job almost complete, July 2011]] |
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[[Image:Braga Bridge.JPG|thumb|200 px|left| Braga Bridge before repainting]] |
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| ⚫ | As the Braga Bridge approached its 25th anniversary in 1989, the [[Massachusetts Department of Public Works]] (MassDPW) undertook a comprehensive two-year rehabilitation of the span and approaches. The project included the replacement of the existing deck with a new lightweight deck overlaid with [[Bitumen|bituminous]] [[concrete]]. Construction crews repaired and repainted structural steel along the length of the mile-long span, a new concrete [[Jersey barrier]] was built in the center median, and "suicide fences" were built along the span. |
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==Recent History== |
==Recent History== |
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| ⚫ | As the Braga Bridge approached its 25th anniversary in 1989, the [[Massachusetts Department of Public Works]] (MassDPW) undertook a comprehensive two-year rehabilitation of the span and approaches. The project included the replacement of the existing deck with a new lightweight deck overlaid with [[Bitumen|bituminous]] [[concrete]]. Construction crews repaired and repainted structural steel along the length of the mile-long span, a new concrete [[Jersey barrier]] was built in the center median, and "suicide fences" were built along the span. |
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In 2003, the [[Massachusetts Highway Department]] began what was to be a three-year, $9 million rehabilitation of the Braga Bridge. The |
In 2003, the [[Massachusetts Highway Department]] began what was to be a three-year, $9 million rehabilitation of the Braga Bridge. The new top concrete layer of roadway was given a [[latex]] additive that resists water seepage to reduce cracking. Originally scheduled for completion in 2005, the end of the project was first re-scheduled for 2006 because of delays associated with the nearby Government Center project along [[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)|I-195]] in Fall River. |
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In the late summer of 2009, a vote was held for SouthCoast residents to decide on a new color for the bridge. Over 7,000 votes were cast, with voters choosing a dark blue color over lime green (the current color), light blue, and silver.<ref>http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x2025181365/Braga-Bridge-getting-a-new-blue-paint-job</ref> The work began on the new paint job April 11, 2010, and was scheduled for completion in June 2011. The estimated cost for the project is $13.3 million.<ref>http://www.wickedlocal.com/fall-river/news/x1031047473/Painting-will-put-the-squeeze-on-Braga-Bridge-project-until-next-year</ref> As of mid 2012, the project is nearing completion. |
In the late summer of 2009, a vote was held for SouthCoast residents to decide on a new color for the bridge. Over 7,000 votes were cast, with voters choosing a dark blue color over lime green (the current color), light blue, and silver.<ref>http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x2025181365/Braga-Bridge-getting-a-new-blue-paint-job</ref> The work began on the new paint job April 11, 2010, and was originally scheduled for completion in June 2011. The estimated cost for the project is $13.3 million.<ref>http://www.wickedlocal.com/fall-river/news/x1031047473/Painting-will-put-the-squeeze-on-Braga-Bridge-project-until-next-year</ref> As of mid 2012, the project is nearing completion. |
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| ⚫ | |||
== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[List of crossings of the Taunton River]] |
* [[List of crossings of the Taunton River]] |
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Revision as of 19:26, 26 June 2012
Braga Bridge | |
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.jpg) The Braga Bridge as seen from Fall River, MA | |
| Coordinates | 41°42′23.62″N 71°09′56.51″W / 41.7065611°N 71.1656972°W |
| Carries | I-195 |
| Crosses | Taunton River |
| Locale | Somerset and Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Official name | Charles M. Braga Jr. Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Continuous through truss, single intersection Warren truss with verticals. Approach spans are plate girders.[1] |
| Total length | 5,780 feet (1,760 m)[1] |
| Width | 101.3 feet (30.9 m)[1] |
| Height | 254 feet (77 m) (Height of towers) [2] |
| Longest span | 840 feet (260 m)[1] |
| Clearance below | 135 feet (41 m)[1] |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $22 million [3] |
| Opened | 1965, 1989 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 80,000 - 100,000 vehicles per day[4] |
| Location | |
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At just over a mile long, the Braga Bridge, also known as the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge, is one of the longest bridge structures in Massachusetts. It carries Interstate 195 over the Taunton River between the town of Somerset and the city of Fall River.
History
Planning began in the 1950's for a new bridge to ease the congestion of the nearby Brightman Street Bridge, as well as to carry the proposed "Cape Cod Expressway" over the Taunton River. In 1959, the role of the new bridge was changed to carrying the new Interstate 195 over the Taunton River, west to Providence. Construction of the bridge started in 1959 and finished in the spring of 1966. The bridge was named after Charles M. Braga, a Fall River native of Portuguese American descent who was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Specifications
With a total span of 5,780 feet (1,760 m), and standing 135 feet (41 m) over high water in the Taunton River, the Braga Bridge easily accommodates the high-traffic shipping lane in the river. It is approximately 101 feet (31 m) wide, enough for six lanes of traffic.
Recent History
As the Braga Bridge approached its 25th anniversary in 1989, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works (MassDPW) undertook a comprehensive two-year rehabilitation of the span and approaches. The project included the replacement of the existing deck with a new lightweight deck overlaid with bituminous concrete. Construction crews repaired and repainted structural steel along the length of the mile-long span, a new concrete Jersey barrier was built in the center median, and "suicide fences" were built along the span.
In 2003, the Massachusetts Highway Department began what was to be a three-year, $9 million rehabilitation of the Braga Bridge. The new top concrete layer of roadway was given a latex additive that resists water seepage to reduce cracking. Originally scheduled for completion in 2005, the end of the project was first re-scheduled for 2006 because of delays associated with the nearby Government Center project along I-195 in Fall River.
In the late summer of 2009, a vote was held for SouthCoast residents to decide on a new color for the bridge. Over 7,000 votes were cast, with voters choosing a dark blue color over lime green (the current color), light blue, and silver.[5] The work began on the new paint job April 11, 2010, and was originally scheduled for completion in June 2011. The estimated cost for the project is $13.3 million.[6] As of mid 2012, the project is nearing completion.
See also
External links
- Steve Anderson's Bostonroads.com: Charles Braga Bridge (I-195)
- [1]
- Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge at Structurae
References
- ^ a b c d e MassHighway Charles M. Braga Bridge
- ^ http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/
- ^ http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/
- ^ http://www.bostonroads.com/crossings/braga/
- ^ http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x2025181365/Braga-Bridge-getting-a-new-blue-paint-job
- ^ http://www.wickedlocal.com/fall-river/news/x1031047473/Painting-will-put-the-squeeze-on-Braga-Bridge-project-until-next-year
Crossings of the Taunton River | ||||
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