Summer Street Bridge

The Summer Street Bridge is a steel structure crossing Fort Point Channel in Boston with a retractable draw mechanism built into its design. The bridge allowed boats and vessels to pass underneath before its lifting system was permanently deactivated.

Built in 1899, the bridge emerged as part of Boston's late 19th century infrastructure expansion. A devastating streetcar accident occurred on the structure in 1916, leaving a dark mark in the region's past.

The bridge represents significant engineering achievements of the late 19th century and remains documented in the Historic American Engineering Record.

The bridge connects Summer Street across the channel and remains open for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Since its draw mechanism no longer operates, visitors encounter a fixed structure as part of the urban landscape.

In the 1980s, this was one of only a few drawbridges of its kind still standing in America. Its rarity made it a technical relic from an earlier era of bridge engineering.

GPS coordinates: 42.35100,-71.05200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03