Mystic River Bascule Bridge, Historic bascule bridge in Mystic, Connecticut, United States
The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is a drawbridge that spans the Mystic River in Connecticut, connecting the east and west sides of this coastal town. Two large counterweights and a pair of electric motors operate the 660-ton movable span to raise it for passing vessels.
The bridge was completed in 1922 and became essential infrastructure for connecting this growing port town. It was designed by Thomas Ellis Brown, an engineer from the Otis Elevator Company, and constructed by the J.E. FitzGerald Construction Company.
The bridge serves as a gathering spot in Mystic where locals and travelers stop to watch boats pass underneath the raised mechanical structure. This regular spectacle has become woven into the daily rhythm of the coastal community.
The bridge opens regularly during the warmer months from May through October to allow sailboats and other vessels to pass. Visiting during daylight hours gives you the best chance to watch this mechanical operation in action.
Two direct current motors, each delivering 40 horsepower, power the bridge and allow it to open approximately 2,200 times each year. This frequency of operation makes it one of the busiest bascule bridges of its kind in the region.
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