Project History

Built in 1908, the Northern Avenue Bridge was in service for over a century before it was closed in December 2014. As the City of Boston planned to reconstruct the iconic bridge, it invited leaders and community members to participate in honoring history and restoring the structure.

A recent assessment of the structural integrity of the bridge made it clear that the bridge is structurally unstable and becoming a growing safety concern. Many pieces of the bridge that are critical to its structure have deteriorated beyond repair. As the bridge continues to deteriorate, local and complete failures become more likely, especially as the bridge is exposed to stress during storms. Due to the bridge’s current condition, the City has initiated a project to remove the bridge superstructure. This proactive project is required due to the ongoing deterioration and to ensure the safety of the public and users of the waterway. The superstructure removal does not preclude any future crossing.

The City has started a formal process for removing the Northern Avenue Bridge superstructure.  

The process begins with filing detailed permitting applications with local, state and federal agencies, including the Massachusetts Historical Commission, MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Boston Conservation Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers, and others.

AECOM and its team of consultants will support the Boston Public Works Department in planning and implementing removal of the superstructure spanning Fort Point Channel.

First Steps: Permitting

The Boston Public Works Department (PWD) submitted a Project Notification Form (PNF) to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) proposing to remove the Northern Avenue Bridge superstructure spanning the Fort Point Channel. This is the first of several permitting actions PWD will undertake before the superstructure can be removed.

Permit applications will also be submitted to the Boston Conservation Commission; Department of Environmental Protection; and United States Coast Guard.