Crook Point Bascule Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crook Point Bascule Bridge |
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The abandoned bridge in 2016
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| Coordinates | 41°49′26″N 71°23′06″W / 41.82379°N 71.38497°W |
| Carries | New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |
| Crosses | Seekonk River |
| Locale | between Providence and East Providence |
| Other name(s) | Seekonk River Drawbridge |
| Owner | RIDOT |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | bascule bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 850 feet (260 m) |
| Longest span | 125 feet (38 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Closed | 1976 |
The Crook Point Bascule Bridge is an old railway bridge in Rhode Island. It is also called the Seekonk River Drawbridge. This special bridge crosses the Seekonk River, connecting the cities of Providence and East Providence.
A "bascule bridge" is a type of drawbridge that opens by lifting a section upwards. This one is a "Scherzer rolling lift" design, meaning it rolls back on a track as it lifts. Since 1976, the bridge has been stuck in its open position. Because of this, local people sometimes call it the "Stuck-Up Bridge." It has become a well-known symbol of how old industrial areas can change over time. In 2022, a local newspaper said the bridge showed how Providence changed from a factory town to a creative city.
Bridge History
The Crook Point Bascule Bridge was built in 1908. It was part of a bigger project to create the East Side Railroad Tunnel. The bridge helped connect Providence Union Station to other train lines in East Providence. It linked several smaller train lines to the East Side Rail Tunnel.
The Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company from Chicago designed the bridge. It is about 850 feet (259 meters) long. When it opened, it created a clear path for boats that was 125 feet (38 meters) wide. From 1908 to 1934, the bridge had electric power lines. These lines, called "catenary masts," powered electric trains that ran between Providence, Bristol, Rhode Island, and Fall River, Massachusetts. You can still see some of these old power line poles on the bridge today.
Over the years, the bridge changed owners several times. In 1969, Penn Central took over. By the 1970s, fewer people were using trains. Because of this, plans were made to close the train station. Penn Central asked for permission to stop using the train line because not many goods were being shipped.
In 1976, Conrail took over the line. They tried to save the railway for future use. However, most of the train line from East Providence to Bristol was closed that same year. As a result, the Crook Point Bridge and the East Side Tunnel were also closed. The bridge was then fixed in its open position so that boats could easily pass underneath.
What Happened to the Bridge?
Since it closed, the bridge has become a place where people draw on the walls and sometimes damage things. But it has also become interesting to artists and people who study old structures. You can easily reach the western side of the bridge from a paved bike path.
Some of the wooden parts of the tracks have rotted or burned away. Also, many electrical wires are now disconnected. However, the main metal structure of the bridge is still mostly there, even though it is rusty. Because of these conditions, some people visit the bridge and even try to climb it. This can be very dangerous.
Students from nearby colleges have used the bridge for photography projects and studies. One study by a student from Brown University suggested that the bridge has been a place for athletic challenges and gatherings since 1976.
Future Plans for the Bridge
Over the years, many ideas have been suggested for the Crook Point Bridge. In 2003, a plan suggested reopening the bridge and tunnel for a "light rail" system. This would have helped people travel from East Providence to downtown Providence. In 2006, a group called Transit 2020 also looked at using the bridge for a light rail or bus system.
In 2018, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) planned to tear down the bridge. But in 2019, the city of Providence offered to take ownership of the bridge to save it. The city even held a contest to find new ideas for the bridge. The winning idea, announced in June 2021, was to turn parts of the bridge into a public park.
However, in June 2021, a fire damaged the bridge. An inspection found that the main steel structure was okay. But by mid-2022, the plans to turn the bridge into a park were canceled. This was because of high costs and not enough public support. So, RIDOT decided to go back to its plan to demolish the bridge.
In January 2025, the city of Providence said it would try again to take ownership of the bridge from RIDOT. Providence's mayor, Brett Smiley, thought the abandoned bridge could help bring new development to the area. However, there are no specific plans or money set aside for this yet.
Currently, there are no active plans to either fix up or tear down the bridge.
See also
- India Point Railroad Bridge
- Sakonnet River rail bridge
