Congress Street Bridge (Connecticut)

In 1909, the City of Bridgeport tasked a special commission to oversee the construction of a bridge at Congress Street.

In 1909, the City of Bridgeport created a special commission to oversee the construction of a bridge at Congress Street.

The Scherzer bascule was a popular design because it avoided the expense of high-stress pivot bearings; though it requires stronger foundations to support the weight of the bridge's operation.

[1]: 23  A contemporary account from the Hartford Courant gave stated the contract was for $305,000 to Snare, Tristo and Company.

[1]: 22–23  It was closed and left in the "open position" in 1997 when the Connecticut Department of Transportation found that the substructure was moving.

[4] Local businesses and residents have claimed that are experiencing reductions in traffic as a result of the closure of the bridge and that it has increased emergency response times.

[4] The promise was made when the city purchased the previous bridge from Barnum and annexed East Bridgeport in 1864.