Harris Street Bridge

The Harris Street Bridge is a historic truss bridge that spans the Taunton River off Dean Street in Taunton, Massachusetts. Built in 1887, it is the oldest surviving bridge in the city, and was built as part of the one of the city's earliest public works projects after incorporation as a city. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is closed to traffic, and is in disrepair.

Harris Street Bridge
Coordinates41°54′20.27″N 71°4′9.63″W
Carrieswater main
CrossesTaunton River
LocaleTaunton, Massachusetts
Characteristics
Designpin-connected through Pratt truss
MaterialWrought iron
Total length100 feet (30 m)
Width35 feet (11 m)
Height35 feet (11 m)
No. of spans1
History
ArchitectPembridge Company
Constructed byPennsylvania Bridge Company
Construction end1887
Harris Street Bridge
LocationOff Dean Street, Taunton, Massachusetts
Built1887
MPSTaunton MRA
NRHP reference No.84002123[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 5, 1984
Location

Description and history

The Harris Street Bridge is located southeast of the junction of Dean Street (United States Route 44) and River Street in eastern Taunton. Dean Street parallels the Taunton River. When the bridge was built in 1887, it crossed on Harris Street, which is now dead-ended on the south bank of the river to the east. The bridge is a single-span through Pratt truss 100 feet (30 m) long, 35 feet (11 m) wide, and 35 feet (11 m) tall, with a span of 95 feet (29 m). The truss elements are wrought iron and are fastened together by pins.[2]

The bridge was built in 1887 by the Pennsylvania Bridge Company, and is one of only two known bridges in Massachusetts built by them. Its principal purpose was to carry a water main from the nearby Harris Street Pumping Station to the center of the city. Its secondary function was as a road and pedestrian bridge.[2]

The bridge has been closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for many years and its deck and railings are in serious disrepair. It still serves its original primary function, carrying a water pipe over the Taunton River.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. "NRHP nomination and MACRIS inventory record for Harris Street Bridge". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
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