"Duck" Bridge in Lawrence to Close for Construction

MassDOT will close the Duck Bridge over the Merrimack River in Lawrence to all vehicular traffic beginning Monday, July 12th at 7:00 AM to allow the major elements of the bridge reconstruction to proceed.  The closure will remain in effect through mid Summer 2012.  Pedestrian access will be available during this time through the use of a temporary pedestrian bridge installed on the east side of the existing bridge.

Drivers affected by the closure will be detoured using Merrimack Street, Parker Street, Amesbury Street, Lawrence Street and Essex Street to the adjacent river crossing at the Casey Bridge.  Traffic leaving from the area of the Lawrence General Hospital will be detoured using Prospect Street, Marston Street and the lower portion of the double decker O’Reilly Bridge to Merrimack Street. 

Construction began on the $19.9 million project in April 2009.  Crews have relocated utilities located on the existing bridge and completed other advance work items in order to minimize the duration of the closure.  

This project is part of MassDOT's Statewide Road and Bridge Program.  Further changes to the detours and traffic set ups will be announced in advance. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2013.  Temporary signs and Variable Message (VMS) Signs will alert drivers to the changes and detour route.

Comments

[The Boy]

Why does it take this long (it's 12/27/2011) to complete work started in 2009?? Are they installing one bolt a day and calling it quits??
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The rehabilitation is replacing the steel deck, repairing the trusses and their supports, and providing a new concrete deck for the length of the bridge. The project is more than two-thirds complete and work continues, with completion expected to be completed along the timeline established from the project beginning, in Spring 2013.

[Ted Krug]

How did the bridge end up being called the "Duck Bridge"?
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The bridge, built in 1888, is located in a mill area. Here is a mid-19th Century news excerpt that may shed light on the "Duck" name:

THE ESSEX COMPANY.

Incorporated March 20, 1845, with a capital stock of $1,000,000.

Excavations for the dam across the Merrimac river were commenced August 1, 1845, and the first stone laid September 19th of the same year. This Company built the north canal which is 5,330 feet long, being 100 feet wide at the inlet and narrowing down to 60 feet at its outlet. Water was let into this canal for the first time November 29, 1847, and December 10 of the same 3'ear was utilized as a mill feeder.

The Essex Company also engineered and built for owners or sold to them the Atlantic Cotton mills, Upper Pacific, Pemberton and Duck mills;

LAWRENCE DUCK COMPANY.

This mill was incorporated in 1852 and commenced operations the following year. The original owners were Albert Fearing, Isaac Thatcher and David Whiton. Its capital stock is $300,000, and the products are sail duck, duck for rubber belting and hose, paper makers' cotton felt, tent, duck and sail twine.

[Cindy Small]

I'm going to miss using the Duck Bridge. This project will create jobs!