Consider the Charles River. It is not just a body of water. It is a stage for history and innovation. Right here stands the Craigie Drawbridge. It’s more than just a crossing. It’s a testament to Boston’s evolution. Officially named the Craigie Bridge, it is also known as Craigie’s Bridge or the Canal Bridge.
The Craigie Drawbridge is a six-lane bascule bridge. It spans the Charles River in Boston’s West End. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains it. You will find it carrying Massachusetts Route 28. This is also called Charles River Dam Road. It sits next to the Green Line’s Lechmere Viaduct.
Notice the Museum of Science nearby. It is located on the dam and piers. Charles River Dam Road links Leverett Circle to East Cambridge. The drawbridge is a short span on the Boston side.
Originally, the lock for the Charles River was near here. It was west of the Craigie Drawbridge. Later, it was replaced by three parallel locks. These new locks are further east at the site of the old Warren Bridge.
The old lock now allows water and small ships to pass freely. Larger ships need the drawbridge to open. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation operates it.
Let’s step back in time. The first bridge here was the Canal Bridge. It got its name from the Middlesex Canal. This canal ran from Charlestown Mill Pond to Middlesex Village.
Businessman Andrew Craigie saw an opportunity. He bought farmland on the Cambridge side. This was near Lechmere Point. He planned for the bridge’s construction. In 1807, investors formed a corporation. They were chartered to build a bridge from Leverett Street to Lechmere Point. The Middlesex Canal Corporation owned one-third of the shares.
The bridge opened in 1809. It became known as Craigie’s Bridge. Its construction led to new roads. These roads connected to Cambridge and Somerville. Craigie and his associates benefited from the building boom. They expanded the public street grid. They named residential streets after investors like Otis, Thorndike, and Gore.
In 1846, the bridge was sold. It went to the Hancock Free Bridge Corporation. It became toll-free in 1858.
The current Craigie Drawbridge was built in 1910. It was part of the dam project. The dam transformed the lower Charles River. It changed it from a tidal estuary to a freshwater basin. This helped reduce odors from sewage. Thousands watched a two-hour fireworks display that Fourth of July. They gathered on the new Boston Embankment.
The Museum of Science began construction on the dam in 1948. It was completed in 1951.
The Craigie Drawbridge underwent a major rehabilitation. The drawbridge was completely replaced in 2011.
In 2018, a tragic accident occurred. A cyclist was killed on the bridge. In response, the city added dedicated bicycle signals and protected bike lanes. This reduced automobile traffic to two lanes in each direction.
Today, the Craigie Drawbridge stands as a vital link. It connects Boston and Cambridge. It has scheduled openings for marine traffic. This ensures efficient travel for everyone. It reflects Boston’s history, innovation, and commitment to safety.