Belden G. Bly Bridge originally known as the Fox Hill Bridge was built in 1912 and renamed in 1985 in honor of former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Belden Bly.

At the time of its demolition, the bridge was the oldest cantilever bridge in the United States still in use as well as the oldest Scherzer Rolling Lift under the supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works.

While the bridge was scheduled to be closed for replacement starting in early 2013, problems with the temporary cable-lift draw bridge delayed the project significantly.

(On June 3, 2013, a hinge failed on the temporary draw span during what was supposed to have been final testing.)

The temporary bridge was finally opened on Nov. 9, 2013, and the 1912 span closed permanently.