Harvard Bridge

Harvard Bridge is a 660-meter road crossing over the Charles River that links Back Bay in Boston with Cambridge through Massachusetts Avenue. The structure consists of steel girder spans resting on masonry piers, with wide sidewalks on both sides.

Construction took place from 1887 to 1891, funded by Boston and Cambridge after long negotiations about the location. The crossing replaced an old ferry service that had connected the two shores for centuries.

Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology walk across this crossing regularly between their dormitories and campus buildings. The name honors a 17th-century minister, even though the institute sits right beside it.

Around 49,000 vehicles cross daily, along with cyclists using dedicated lanes. The walkways offer open views of both riverbanks and remain accessible in all weather conditions.

Oliver Smoot served as a human measuring tape in 1958 when students measured the entire length using his body. The painted markers in Smoot units remain visible on the walkway today and are regularly repainted.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1891

Official opening: 1891

Length: 659.82 m

GPS coordinates: 42.35698,-71.09254

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29