Gloucester Drawbridge

The MBTA is pleased to provide an update on ongoing and completed project activities, as well as a preview of upcoming work.

Although the complete project remains on schedule, supply chain delays and bridge construction complexities have delayed opening of the southern barrel. While the MBTA evaluates alternatives to restore rail service as soon as possible, work crews will use this opportunity to accelerate other projects planned for the line.

The drawbridge includes these primary elements:

Abutments that support the ends of the bridge and transfer the loads from the superstructure into the ground
Pier structures that extend into the water to support the bridge
The bascule span, which is the drawbridge over the channel
The control tower that contains equipment for the draw tender, who operates the bridge

More information about the project and primary elements can be found in the Winter 2021 Fact Sheet.If you have questions or comments, please email the team at GloucesterDraw@MBTA.com.

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September Construction Progress Recap

Control Tower

Crews work to complete the control tower so it’s ready to operate the new bridge. They installed the glass enclosure on the observation level of the tower.

Glass enclosure on observation level of the tower

Workers connected power and controls from the main drive to the control panel. They installed plumbing and prepped the interior of the control tower for drywall installation.

Plumbing installed in the control tower

Piers 2 and 3

Crews completed the installation of the two remaining drilled shafts, located at Pier 2 and Pier 3.

Drilled shaft installation

Work crews installed steel reinforcement and placed the concrete for the Pier 3 pile cap—they removed the forms for the concrete and completed the pier. The Pier 2 pile cap is currently under construction.

Concrete placed for Pier 3

Signals, Power, and Utilities

Pre-testing for the control tower operation of the bascule span has begun. Workers are using the main drive and control panel to operate the bridge. Crews continue installation of the signal system, connecting all the Signal Instrument houses and the Signal Instrument rooms together.