Point Street Bridge, Steel bridge over Providence River in Providence, Rhode Island
Point Street Bridge is a steel bridge crossing the Providence River and linking the Jewelry District with College Hill. It measures roughly 530 feet in length and carries both vehicle and bicycle traffic between these two neighborhoods.
An iron bowstring bridge originally stood at this location from 1872 until it was replaced by the current steel structure. The Boston Bridge Works completed the modern replacement in 1927 using a steel truss design typical of that era.
The bridge structure represents early 20th-century engineering methods with its rivet-connected design and multiple approach spans for urban transportation needs.
The bridge is roughly 40 feet wide with separate lanes designated for bicycles alongside regular vehicle traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists will find clearly marked paths that keep them separate from motor vehicles crossing between the two banks.
The bridge operated as a rotating span until 1959 and required special procedures on hot days to close properly. Fire trucks would spray water on the steel structure to counteract thermal expansion and ensure secure closure.
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