Shaw's Cove Bridge

Shaw's Cove Bridge is a swing bridge in New London, Connecticut built in 1984, replacing a similar bridge built in 1913. The span carries railroad tracks used by Amtrak for their train along the Northeast Corridor while allowing boat traffic to go through.

Shaw's Cove Bridge
Coordinates41°20′57″N 72°05′49″W
CarriesTwo railroad tracks
CrossesShaw's Cove
LocaleNew London, Connecticut
Official nameShaw's Cove Bridge
Maintained byAmtrak[1]
Characteristics
DesignTruss with swing opening
MaterialSteel
Total length634 feet (193 m)[1]
Clearance below6 feet (1.8 m) (vertical), two 35-foot (11 m) channels (horizontal)[1]
History
Built1913 (replaced 1984)[1][2]
Location

History

In 1891, a Pratt truss bridge was constructed to cross over the cove. The bridge was built over a center pier and end stone masonry piers. In 1913, the span was replaced with a 136 feet (41 m) swing bridge span sitting on the original piers. The span was Pratt through truss of the rim-bearing type which has a circulator drum and rollers along the perimeter of the center pier. This type of mechanisms was an early design of swing bridge variants which was later replaced with center-bearing type. The bridge undergone substantial repairs in 1917, 1924, 1932, and 1938. The 1913 span was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an example of early type of swing bridges.[3]

Replacement

In the 1980s, Federal Railroad Administration funded the $4 billion Northeast Corridor Improvement Project (NECIP) to fully electrify the Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC and Boston. As part of the project, Amtrak upgraded several portions of Northeast Corridor infrastructure in preparation for the launch of the Acela Express service. This included a replacement of the Shaw's Cove Bridge in 1984.[4][1]

Current operations

The draw of the Amtrak bridge at the entrance opens on signal from December 1 through March 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. From December 1 through March 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays, the draw shall open on signal if at least eight hours notice is given. From April 1 through November 30 from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., the draw shall open on signal; and, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the draw shall open on signal if at least one hour notice is given. A delay of up to 10 minutes may be expected if a train is approaching. When a vessel is in an emergency that may endanger life or property, the draw shall open as soon as possible. https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Bridges/Moveable-Bridges The operations in winter can be challenging. Occasionally, the bridge would not close for several hours causing trains to be delayed due to mechanical issues caused by extreme cold temperature.[5] Similar issues can cause the bridge not to be able to open for marine traffic for several days.[6]

  • The 1913 span
    The 1913 span
  • Shaw's Cove Railroad Bridge closing

References
  1. Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, Electrification, New Haven, CT to Boston, MA: Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report, Volume 2: Technical Studies. Federal Railroad Administration. 1994. p. 3-21. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  2. "New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Shaw's Cove Bridge, Spanning Shaw's Cove, New London, New London County, CT". Library of Congress. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  3. Shaw's Cove Bridge and Approaches Replacement, New London, Northeast Corridor Improvement Project: Environmental Impact Statement. Federal Railroad Administration. 1981. pp. 4f-1–4f-5. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  4. Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project EA (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration. May 2014. p. 1-5. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  5. "Hundreds of Amtrak Passengers Delayed When New London Rail Bridge Won't Close". NBC Connecticut. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  6. "Shaw's Cove bridge expected to be fully fixed by Monday, after delay in opening for marine traffic". The Day. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
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