THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Replace Northern Avenue Bridge? by Rick Winterson
T
en days ago, on Monday evening, June 3, the team of architects who are examining the need to replace of the Northern Avenue Bridge (now totally inoperative and locked open for safety reasons presented an update on the bridge’s replacement. Two topics dominated this presentation – potential design of the new Northern Avenue Bridge (four alternates were presented) and figuring out the best width of the new bridge. The Northern Avenue Bridge was completed in 1908 – 111 years ago. It is commonly referred to as a drawbridge, but was actually a “swing bridge”, a bridge that rotates (or “swings”) on a central pier. You can still see the bridge’s central span in its wide-open position at
the northern end of th3e Fort Point Channel. That gives you a good visual idea of how it worked. And as a commentary, it’s not at all unusual for a bridge to have a 100year life and then need replacement. Wear, storms, accidents, and salt-water corrosion all take their toll over a century-long period. The four design alternates were called “R ESTOR E”, “ R E I N T E R P R E T ”, “CONTEXTUAL”, and “BASIC”. You can get a glimpse of these in our photographs or by going to the internet. The “Restore” alternate is a duplication of the old Northern Avenue Bridge. That is really not practical. The architects admitted that only 10-20% of old bridge’s structure could be reused, meaning that most of the “Restore” alternate would have to be new, but made with outdated construction technology.
Freedom
New Kicks for Condon Kids It was a special treat for 50 youth and teen members of the BCYF Condon Community Center, located on D Street. A very generous gentleman by the name of James “Jim” Stone wanted to provide a nice, new pair of Reeboks to “kick-off ” the summer!
Story and Photos on Page 10
Continued on Page 2
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