Canton Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canton Viaduct |
|
|---|---|
A west side view of the Canton Viaduct looking south with the former Paul Revere Copper Rolling Mill in the background, April 1977
|
|
| Coordinates | 42°09′32″N 71°09′14″W / 42.15889°N 71.15389°W |
| Carries | 2 tracks (standard gauge) presently serving: |
| Crosses |
|
| Locale | Canton, Massachusetts |
| Other name(s) |
|
| Maintained by | Amtrak owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
| Heritage status |
|
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Blind arcade cavity wall |
| Material |
|
| Total length | 615' (built on a one degree horizontal curve) |
| Width |
|
| Height | Varies due to valley contour, built with a stepped foundation.
|
| Longest span | 2 at 28' (granite/concrete deck arches over the granite roadway portal) |
| Number of spans | 71 total:
|
| Piers in water | 7 (15 on land) |
| Load limit | Unknown, currently carries Amtrak's 100-ton Acela Express up to 125 MPH |
| Clearance above | Approximately 21' from top of rails to contact wires of the catenary system |
| Clearance below |
|
| History | |
| Designer | William Gibbs McNeill, Chief Engineer for the Boston & Providence Railroad (B&P) |
| Construction begin | April 20, 1834 |
| Opened | July 28, 1835 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic |
|
|
Canton Viaduct
|
|
| Location | Neponset and Walpole Sts., Canton, Massachusetts |
| Built | 1834 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002870 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 1984 |
Canton River Valley at the intersection of Neponset St. and Walpole St.
|
|
The Canton Viaduct is a historic railroad bridge in Canton, Massachusetts. It was built between 1834 and 1835 for the Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P). A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure that carries a road or railway over a valley or low-lying land.
When it was finished, the Canton Viaduct was the longest (615 feet) and tallest (70 feet) railroad viaduct in the world. It is also the last of its kind still standing. This amazing structure has been used continuously for 189 years. Today, it carries fast passenger and freight trains.
The viaduct's walls are made of granite stone, giving it a strong, ancient look. It holds up the train tracks about 60 feet (18 meters) above the Canton River. The river flows through six arch-shaped openings, called portals, in the viaduct, leading to a waterfall nearby.
The Canton Viaduct was the last piece of the B&P's 41-mile main railway line between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. Now, it is part of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and also carries Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter trains.
Contents
- Building a Landmark: The Canton Viaduct Story
- How the Canton Viaduct Was Designed and Built
- Updates and Repairs Over the Years
- Who Owns the Viaduct?
- A Critical Link: Why the Viaduct is Important
- Safety Around the Canton Viaduct
- Recognizing the Canton Viaduct
- Current Status and Future Plans
- Images for kids
Building a Landmark: The Canton Viaduct Story
The Canton Viaduct was built in 1835 by the Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P), which was one of the first railroads in New England. Important people like Thomas B. Wales and Joseph Warren Revere helped make sure the viaduct was built in Canton.
Building the railroad through Canton was a good idea because it was close to Paul Revere's Copper Rolling Mill. A short railway line connected the mill to the main tracks, which helped Revere's copper business.
The original plan for crossing the Canton River Valley was changed after a serious accident on another railroad in 1832. Instead of using ramps, they decided to build a strong viaduct.
This special viaduct was designed by Captain William Gibbs McNeill, an officer from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He was helped by other engineers, including Major George Washington Whistler. The viaduct was built by the Dodd & Baldwin company from Pennsylvania.
Interestingly, Russia was also building railroads at this time. The Russian ruler, Tsar Nicholas I, sent people to study the Canton Viaduct. Later, he asked George Washington Whistler to help design a railway in Russia, and two viaducts there were built like the Canton Viaduct.
How the Canton Viaduct Was Designed and Built
The Canton Viaduct is unique because it uses a "blind arcade" and "cavity wall" design. This means it has double walls with empty spaces inside, and the arches you see on the outside don't go all the way through. Only the six river openings and two road openings pass through the entire structure.
Materials Used to Build the Viaduct
The Canton Viaduct was built with a lot of granite stone. The outside stones came from a quarry in Sharon, Massachusetts, chosen because it keeps its color. The inside stones came from a different quarry in Canton.
Each stone has a special mark, called a Mason's mark, to show who cut it. The stones were laid in a pattern similar to brickwork.
The viaduct's walls are made of granite and mortar. The top part, called the deck, was updated in 1993 with reinforced concrete.
Where the Viaduct is Located
Most of the viaduct (71%) is over land, and 29% is over water. It is 615 feet (187 meters) long and has a slight curve. This curve makes the west wall a little shorter than the east wall.
The road under the viaduct is now called Neponset Street. It's an important road that connects Canton's main street to Interstate 95.
Freemasons and the Foundation Stone
Many of the stone cutters and masons who worked on the viaduct were Scottish Freemasons. Also, most of the railroad's directors, like Thomas B. Wales, were Freemasons.
The first stone, called the foundation stone, was laid on April 20, 1834, with a special Masonic ceremony. It was placed in the northeast corner of the structure, following Masonic tradition.
Building the Viaduct: A Big Project
The Canton Viaduct cost $93,000 to build, which would be about $3.5 million today. It took 15 months and 8 days to complete, from April 20, 1834, to July 28, 1835.
The first and last walls of the viaduct are 3 feet (0.9 meters) wide, while most others are 5 feet, 6 inches (1.7 meters) wide. Large steam shovels were used to dig out the ground for the foundations.
The top of the viaduct has 42 arch-shaped supports, called deck arches, that hold up the track area. The main walls are five feet thick with a four-foot gap between them.
The viaduct was mostly finished by June 1835. Amazingly, no workers died during its construction, even though there was no modern safety equipment like hard hats. The first "passenger" to cross the viaduct was Charlie, an old white horse who used to haul empty railcars.
On July 28, 1835, the first train, named "Whistler" (after engineer George Washington Whistler), crossed the viaduct. The trip from Boston to Providence cost $2.
The Canton Viaduct also shows examples of Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio in its design, like the number of arches and stones.
Today, the viaduct needs very little maintenance, mostly just cleaning and occasional checks by Amtrak.
The Dedication Stone
The Dedication Stone is a special stone that was part of the viaduct. It was originally placed at the top of the west side, at the south end. It was the very last stone laid in the viaduct.
This stone is actually two pieces held together with iron straps. It weighs about 3,780 pounds (1,714 kg). In 1860, the stone broke, and two names of railroad directors became hidden.
Railroad Tracks and Early Design
During a renovation in 1993, workers found two deep grooves, or troughs, in the granite deck stones. These troughs ran the entire length of the viaduct and were spaced at the standard railroad track width.
These troughs held long wooden beams, called "baulks," which supported the rails without needing cross-ties. This was a unique way to build tracks at the time. Early reports show that the railroad was designed for horse-drawn wagons, not steam locomotives.
Construction Steps
The Canton Viaduct was built in several stages:
- Planning: Designs and plans were created.
- Preparation: The site was prepared, and the river was temporarily moved using special barriers.
- Building: The foundations and walls were built. The foundation stone was laid on April 20, 1834. Then, the arches and deck were added. The last stone, called the capstone, was laid with another Masonic ceremony.
- Finishing: Tracks were installed, and the site was cleaned up.
- Opening: The viaduct officially opened on July 28, 1835.
The Waterfall and River
The waterfall near the Canton Viaduct is part of a dam that creates Mill Pond. This dam was built in 1900. In the past, the river's water power was used by nearby businesses through water wheels.
Updates and Repairs Over the Years
The Canton Viaduct has been updated and repaired many times to keep it strong and safe:
- 1860: The viaduct was made wider to hold two sets of tracks instead of one. The original stone railings were removed and replaced with a wooden fence. The Dedication Stone was accidentally broken and moved.
- 1878: The wooden fence was replaced with a strong iron fence. The Dedication Stone was repaired and moved to the north end of the viaduct.
- 1887: Safety tracks were added to prevent trains from derailing and falling off the viaduct.
- 1897-1910: Repairs were made to the foundations and arches, including adding reinforced concrete arches under the deck.
- 1914: Small "jump-out" platforms were added to the iron fence. These were for people to stand on if two trains passed at the same time, after a worker died.
- 1939: During World War II, guard houses were built at each end of the viaduct to protect it from attack.
- 1953: A new concrete opening for northbound traffic was cut next to the original road opening. This was to help with traffic flow.
- 1963: The Army Corps of Engineers built a project to protect the viaduct's foundations from river flooding.
- 1995: The MBTA and Amtrak spent $10 million to rebuild the viaduct for faster trains like the Acela Express. A new concrete deck was installed, and the original iron fence was restored. Walkways were added, so the "jump-out" platforms were no longer needed.
Challenges During Renovations
It was important to keep the viaduct's historic look during renovations. The project also had to protect endangered species in the nearby wildlife refuge and follow strict environmental rules because it was located near the Canton River.
During the 1995 project, workers discovered the original granite troughs that held the wooden track beams. These unique features were carefully documented.
Who Owns the Viaduct?
The Canton Viaduct has been owned by several railroad companies over the years:
- 1834–1888: Boston & Providence Railroad Corp.
- 1888–1893: Old Colony Railroad Co.
- 1893–1969: New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co.
- 1969–1973: Penn Central Transportation Company
- 1973–present: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
A Critical Link: Why the Viaduct is Important
The Canton Viaduct is a very important part of the national railroad system. It's a direct link between Boston and New York City. Because of its importance, it has been guarded during major conflicts:
- World War I: Soldiers guarded the viaduct.
- World War II: Local Civil Defense and railroad workers protected it from sabotage.
- War on Terrorism: After September 11, 2001, the viaduct was guarded by security teams.
Officials consider the viaduct a high-risk target because its destruction would greatly disrupt the national railroad system.
Safety Around the Canton Viaduct
The area around the Canton Viaduct is very busy, with thousands of vehicles passing under it every day. There are several safety concerns:
- Sidewalks: Neponset Street has sidewalks, but not directly under the viaduct. Pedestrians have to use a very narrow "safety shelf" or walk in the road, which is dangerous. This area is not accessible for people with disabilities.
- Crosswalks: There are no crosswalks near the viaduct, making it hard for people to cross the street safely.
- Lighting: The road has sharp curves, and there isn't enough lighting, especially at night, making it hard to see.
- Signs: There are no signs to warn drivers about the sharp curves, to slow down, or to watch for pedestrians. There are also no signs to warn large trucks about the low clearance.
- Roadway: The road narrows under the viaduct, and four roads meet here, making it a complex intersection.
- Clearance: Large trucks often hit the smaller concrete opening because of its low height and the tight turns required to pass through. This causes traffic delays and costs the town money for emergency responses.
Because of these issues, crossing the Canton Viaduct area can be dangerous for both people walking and driving.
Other Safety Issues
- Visiting: While Canton Viaduct Park is open to the public, there's no public parking or safe way to walk to it.
- Walking on the Viaduct: Even with new walkways, only railroad and safety workers are allowed to walk across the viaduct.
- Utility Bridge: A narrow utility bridge nearby is popular for photos, but it's also dangerous and only for authorized personnel.
- Vandalism: The viaduct has been spray-painted by vandals many times.
- Water Activities: No boats are allowed in the river near the viaduct due to low clearance, the waterfall, and security concerns.
- Fishing and Swimming: Fishing is not recommended due to pollution, and swimming is not allowed because of the waterfall and poor water quality.
Recognizing the Canton Viaduct
The Canton Viaduct has received many honors:
- It was featured on all Boston & Providence Railroad stock certificates for 115 years.
- The railroad named some of its locomotives after important people and places, including "Canton" and "Viaduct".
- It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
- In 1998, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It is one of the oldest stone railroad bridges still in use in the United States.
- In 1999, Canton Viaduct Park was created. It has a monument made from old stones from the viaduct, including the Dedication Stone.
- A large Lego model of the viaduct is on display at the Canton Public Library.
- The viaduct has been featured on commemorative medals, in books and magazines, and in paintings.
- The Canton Police Department even has the viaduct on their uniform patch!
- It has also been the subject of several documentary films.
Current Status and Future Plans
In 2004, the town of Canton created a Master Plan that includes ideas for the Canton Viaduct:
- Creating a "Viaduct Revitalization District."
- Teaching students about the viaduct's history.
- Promoting the viaduct as a historic site and holding more events.
- Developing a walking and biking trail along the Canton River, next to the viaduct.
- Preserving views of the viaduct when new buildings are developed.
- Adding signs to help trucks avoid getting stuck under the viaduct.
- Exploring a new pedestrian path under the viaduct.
- Including the viaduct in Canton's Historic Resources Inventory and Historic District plans.
- Creating educational displays about the viaduct's history.
- Building a museum about Paul Revere's Copper Rolling Mill.
Some of these plans are already happening, and others are being developed. The Canton Viaduct celebrated its 175th anniversary on July 28, 2010!
Images for kids
-
A partial view of the Canton Viaduct with the deck removed, showing the 21 inner cavities.
-
A Lego model of a wall section with the deck removed.
-
A Lego model of a wall section with the deck removed and the foundation visible.
-
A sample of the Mason's marks found on the Canton Viaduct stones.
-
A plan showing the Canton Viaduct's foundation and west side view.
-
A "jump-out" platform attached to the iron fence, used for safety.
-
Lego model of wall section over land with original deck. The Dedication Stone is represented by the dark gray brick in the parapet (its original location) and in the foreground on the wall in its current location, Canton Viaduct Park.
-
Model of wall section over land with original deck and dirt removed.
-
Model of wall section over land with original deck. Canton Viaduct Park is shown in the background.
-
Model of wall section over land with original deck and dirt removed.
-
Model of a transverse wall section with original deck, dam and waterfall. The foundation stone is represented by the dark gray brick.
-
Model of a transverse wall section with original deck and water removed.
-
Model of a transverse wall section with original deck, dam and waterfall.
-
Model of a transverse walls section with original deck and water removed.
-
A complete Lego model of the Canton Viaduct is on display in the Reference room at the Canton Public Library.
-
Canton Viaduct curved, stepped wing wall abutment at the north end, west side; the Dedication Stone can be seen (above) in its former location.
-
Canton Viaduct coping - A row of granite coping can be seen projecting 6" beyond the wall between the granite deck arches and the new concrete deck.
