View source for Tobin Bridge

{{short description|Bridge between Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts}}
{{For|the bridge in California|Tobin Bridge (California)}}
{{redirect|Mystic River Bridge|the bridge in Mystic, Connecticut|Mystic River Bascule Bridge}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox bridge
|bridge_name   = Tobin Bridge
|image         = Tobin bridge 2009f.JPG
|caption       = The Tobin Bridge viewed from East Boston in 2009
|image_size    = 300px
|official_name = Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge
|carries       = 6 lanes (3 upper, 3 lower) of {{jct|state=MA|US|1}}
|crosses       = [[Mystic River]]
|locale        = [[Charlestown, Boston|Charlestown]]–[[Chelsea, Massachusetts|Chelsea]], Massachusetts
|maint         = [[Massachusetts Department of Transportation|MassDOT]]
|id            = 
|design        = 3-span double-deck [[cantilever]]ed [[truss bridge|truss]]
|mainspan      = {{convert|800|ft}}<ref name=structurae>{{Structurae|id=20009330|name=Tobin Memorial Bridge}}</ref>
|length        = {{convert|11906|ft}}<ref name=structurae />
|width         = {{convert|36|ft}}<ref name=structurae />
|height        = {{convert|254|ft}}
|clearance     = 
|below         = {{convert|135|ft}}<ref name=massport/>
|material      = [[steel]]<ref name=structurae />
|traffic       = 
|begin         = April 12, 1948<ref name=structurae /> 
|open          = February 27, 1950<ref name=structurae />
|closed        = 
|toll          = $2.50 ([[E-ZPass]]); $3.00 (pay-by-plate) (2023)
|coordinates   = {{coord|42.38483|-71.04755|display=inline,title}}
}}

The '''Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge''' (formerly the '''Mystic River Bridge''') is a [[cantilever bridge|cantilever truss bridge]] that spans more than {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} from [[Charlestown, Boston|Boston]] to [[Chelsea, Massachusetts|Chelsea]] over the [[Mystic River]] in [[Massachusetts]], United States.<ref name=abel/> The bridge is the largest in [[New England]].<ref name=abel>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/23/work_never_stops_on_tobin_bridge/ |title=Work never stops on Tobin bridge: Costs rising as crews try to maintain old structure |first=David |last=Abel |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=October 23, 2007}}</ref> It is operated by the [[Massachusetts Department of Transportation]] and carries [[U.S. Route 1]]. It was built between 1948 and 1950 and opened to traffic on February 2, 1950, replacing the former '''Chelsea Bridge'''. The {{convert|36|feet|adj=on}}-wide roadway has three lanes of traffic on each of the two levels with northbound traffic on the lower level and southbound traffic on the upper level.

==Description==
The bridge is a three-span [[cantilever]]ed [[truss bridge]] at {{convert|1,525|ft|m|abbr=on}} in total length.<ref name=massport>{{cite web
|url=http://www.massport.com/bridges/about.asp
|title=The Tobin Memorial Bridge
|publisher=Massport.com
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990828111916/http://www.massport.com/bridges/about.asp
|archive-date=August 28, 1999
|access-date=January 10, 2012}}
</ref> The center span is longest at {{convert|800|ft|m|abbr=on}} and the maximum truss height is {{convert|115|ft|m|abbr=on}}. There are 36 approach spans to the north and 32 to the south. The roadway is seven lanes wide between the shortest ({{convert|439|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}) span and the center – the former location of the [[toll plaza]]. 

==History==
===Chelsea Bridge===
Early transport between Boston and Winnisimmet (later Chelsea) was by the [[Winnisimmet Ferry]]. In 1803, the [[Massachusetts Route 107|Salem Turnpike]] was extended across the Mystic River to Charlestown, where the [[Charlestown Bridge#History|Charles River Bridge]] then connected to downtown Boston. The new Mystic River bridge (Chelsea Bridge) had two draw spans and cost $53,000 ({{inflation|US-GDP|53000|1803|r=-4|fmt=eq}}) to construct.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00bart/page/10/mode/2up |title=An historical sketch of Charlestown, in the county of Middlesex, and commonwealth of Massachusetts |last=Bartlett |first=Josiah |year=1814 |page=11 |publisher=Massachusetts Historical Society |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The [[Boston and Chelsea Railroad]] opened a single [[horsecar]] track over the bridge on November 20, 1858.<ref name=busreport />{{rp|225}} The toll was dropped on November 9, 1869, when the bridge and turnpike became state property.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/topographicalhis00shur_2/page/428/mode/2up |chapter=Chapter 32: Entrances to Boston |title=A topographical and historical description of Boston |last=Shurtleff |first=Nathaniel Bradstreet |authorlink=Nathaniel B. Shurtleff |page=429 |year=1890 |edition=3 |publisher=Boston City Council |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The Boston portion of the bridge was rebuilt in 1877, with a new iron draw span, while the Chelsea portion was also repaired. The [[Lynn and Boston Railroad]] (successor to the Boston and Chelsea Railroad) ran a pair of horsecar tracks across the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74197197/the-boston-globe/ |title=Public Opening of the Chelsea Bridge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 21, 1877 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In 1880, Chelsea paid Boston $25,000 ({{inflation|US-GDP|25000|1880|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) to permanently maintain the portion of the bridge within Chelsea, including the north draw.<ref>{{cite book |title=Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Court in the Year 1880 |pages=105–106 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/actsresolvespass1880mass/page/104/mode/2up |chapter=Chapter 159: An Act in Relation to Chelsea Bridge |year=1880 |publisher=Massachusetts General Court |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name=case>{{cite court |url=https://cite.case.law/mass/221/468/ |litigants=City of Boston |vol=221 |reporter=Mass |opinion=468 |pinpoint= |court=Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court |date=1915}}</ref> The Boston portion was damaged by a fire on September 7, 1887.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74197418/the-boston-globe/ |title=The City Council |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 9, 1887 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Electric streetcars replaced the horsecars on the bridge in the early 1890s, with all-electric service effective March 13, 1893.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74196295/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 14, 1893 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=busreport>{{Humphrey Bus Report}}</ref>{{rp|228}}

====Charlestown viaduct====
[[File:Chelsea Bridge viaduct drawing, August 1894.png|thumb|left|An 1894 drawing of the viaduct]]
The [[Boston and Lowell Railroad]] (B&L) purchased the Mystic River Railroad, an unbuilt [[paper railroad]], in 1871. It constructed the line from [[East Somerville station#History|Milk Row station]] around Charlestown to a new freight terminal built on filled land in the Mystic River between the two channels.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fno3AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PA24 |chapter=Report of a Committee of the City Government of Lowell |title=Report of the Directors of the Boston and Lowell Railroad Corporation for the Year 1871 |pages=24, 25 |first1=John W. |last1=Smith |first2=Amos B. |last2=French |first3=Addison |last3=Putnam |year=1867 |publisher=Boston and Lowell Railroad |via=Google Books}}</ref> After a legal battle with the Lynn and Boston Railroad about [[frog war|the right to cross its tracks]], the B&L extended the branch across the Mystic Bridge, allowing ships to dock without passing through any bridges.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74235499/the-boston-globe/ |title=Railroad Crossings |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 5, 1872 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74235577/the-boston-globe/ |title=The Courts |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 6, 1874 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As the B&L and its successor [[Boston and Maine Railroad]] (B&M) expanded Mystic Wharf in the 1880s, replacing the middle section of the bridge with a roadway on filled land, the grade crossings became a significant inconvenience and hazard to bridge traffic.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74235610/the-boston-globe/ |title=On Chelsea Bridge |newspaper=Boston Daily Globe |date=December 31, 1882 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

The railroad's construction of transatlantic port facilities, including a [[grain elevator]] and coal depot, along with additional crossings of the bridge road brought the issue to a head in 1892.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74296961/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea's Aldermen Scored |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 2, 1892 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> That June, the state legislature passed an act authorizing Chelsea to pursue elimination of the grade crossings. The B&M was to pay 65% of the cost, the Lynn and Boston Railroad 5%, and the state 30% (of which part would be in turn paid by Boston and Chelsea).<ref>{{cite book |title=Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Court in the Year 1892 |pages=392–394 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/actsresolvespass1892mass/page/392/mode/2up |chapter=Chapter 374: An Act Related to the Abolition of Grade Crossings on Chelsea Bridge and Chelsea Bridge Avenue in the City of Boston |year=1892 |publisher=Massachusetts General Court |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> Negotiations between the B&M, the Lynn and Boston, and the cities of Boston and Chelsea took place in 1893 over plans to raise the street onto a viaduct over the rail yard. The B&M was willing to build a viaduct with a wooden roadway {{convert|40|feet}} wide, but the other parties insisted on a {{convert|50|feet}}-wide roadway with a granite deck.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74298618/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea Bridge Hearing |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 31, 1893 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

A temporary south span and roadway opened on May 1, 1894, allowing construction of the viaduct to begin. This was closed to all but streetcar traffic on May 1, 1895. Streetcars began using the new viaduct on August 4, 1895, and it opened to general traffic on December 29. The viaduct was {{convert|2777|feet}} long and raised about {{convert|20|feet}} above the old grade, with a {{convert|45|feet|adj=on}}-wide roadway and {{convert|8|feet|adj=on}}-wide sidewalk.<ref name=aug1894 /> Masonry piers spaced {{convert|70|feet}} apart supported the iron viaduct, which cost $600,000 ({{inflation|US-GDP|450000|1894|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) to construct. A perpendicular ramp led from the viaduct to the rail yard below.<ref name=aug1894>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74391470/the-boston-globe/ |title=Viaduct to carry Chelsea traffic |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 27, 1894 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As part of the project, the north draw span was replaced by a [[retractile drawbridge]] and widened by {{convert|8-10|feet}} to just under {{convert|45|feet}}.<ref name=relief>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74391590/the-boston-globe/ |title=Immense Relief |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 30, 1895 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=case />

====Draw span replacements====
As the New England Gas and Coke Company prepared to open its new plant upstream, a further widening of the north draw became necessary to accommodate [[Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation]] ships serving the plant. [[Henry Melville Whitney]] offered to pay $40,000 on behalf of the company to secure a width of {{convert|75|feet}}; however, the city instead chose a {{convert|60|feet|adj=on}} width.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74439128/the-boston-globe/ |title=Increases Offer to $40,000 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 18, 1899 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74439151/the-boston-globe/ |title=60-foot Draw |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 10, 1899 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Preliminary work began in late 1899.<ref name=oct1899>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74439635/the-boston-globe/ |title=New Draw in Chelsea Bridge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 25, 1899 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A temporary bridge was funded by the gas company ($14,000) and the Lynn and Boston ($7,000). A contract for $21,471 for the construction of the new draw span was issued on February 26, 1900.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74436913/the-boston-globe/ |title=Lee Must Go |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 26, 1900 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The new span opened on September 25, 1900, with a total cost around $75,000 ({{inflation|US-GDP|75000|1900|r=-3|fmt=eq}})<ref name=oct1899 /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74442063/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea Drawbridge Opened |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 25, 1900 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Another replacement of the north draw span began in early 1912, with the temporary bridge completed that August.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74587622/the-boston-globe/ |title=Rendle Gets Contract |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 24, 1912 |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74588731/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 18, 1912 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=may1912>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74588905/the-boston-globe/ |title=Two Bridges to Cost More Than $500,000 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 13, 1912 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The new steel truss [[swing bridge|swing span]] – claimed to be the largest bridge span in New England – opened on May 28, 1913.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74588176/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea North Bridge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 28, 1913 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The {{convert|1400|short ton|adj=on}} span rotated on 64 wheels on a {{convert|44|feet|adj=on}} diameter circular rail. It was {{convert|363|feet}} long and {{convert|60|feet}} wide, and could rotate to provide two {{convert|125|feet|adj=on}}-wide channels large enough for oceangoing ships.<ref name=march1913>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74531646/the-boston-globe/ |title=Huge Draw Span of Chelsea Bridge North |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 17, 1913 |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As part of the $425,000 project ({{inflation|US-GDP|425000|1913|r=-5|fmt=eq}}), the wooden pile approaches were raised to eliminate a slope from the Charlestown viaduct.<ref name=may1912 /><ref name=march1913 />

The city planned to replace the south draw span shortly afterwards at a nearly equal cost.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74593441/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea Bridge Bids |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 16, 1913 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On March 14, 1914, the {{convert|230|short ton|adj=on}} temporary span from the north draw was moved in one piece – using the tide to lift the span on [[Lighter (barge)|lighters]] – to serve as the new temporary south draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74594713/the-boston-globe/ |title=Use Tide to Lift Draw |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 14, 1914 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74594809/the-boston-globe/ |title=Notable Feat in Bridge Building |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 15, 1914 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The temporary span, with sharp [[reverse curve]]s at both ends, remained in use longer than planned.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74595261/the-boston-globe/ |title=Curley Takes Fight Into Murphy's Ward |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 27, 1921 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=april1924>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74597153/the-boston-globe/ |title=New Chelsea Bridge Open to Traffic |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 22, 1924 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A $521,830 contract for the permanent span ({{inflation|US-GDP|521830|1922|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) was issued on April 26, 1922, and construction began on May 2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74605766/the-boston-globe/ |title=Contract for Chelsea Bridge Draw Awarded |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 27, 1922 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=sept1923>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74606708/the-boston-globe/ |title=New South Draw on Chelsea Bridge Nearing Completion |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 12, 1923 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The new bridge opened on April 21, 1924.<ref name=april1924 /> It was {{convert|365|feet}} long, with a four-leaf [[bascule bridge|bascule]] draw {{convert|119|feet}} long and {{convert|61|feet}} wide, widening the channel to {{convert|75|feet}}.<ref name=sept1923 />

By early 1934, the north section of Chelsea Bridge was in need of repairs.<ref name=davenport>{{cite thesis |title=The Tobin Bridge : its history and politics |first=Kelly Ann |last=Davenport |year=1999 |institution=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |degree=MCP |hdl=1721.1/65466}}</ref>{{rp|12}} On June 27, 1934, traffic on the north draw was restricted to vehicles under {{convert|6|short ton|kg}} except for streetcars, using only one lane in each direction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74612637/the-boston-globe/ |title=City of Boston |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 26, 1934 |page=27 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The century-old drawtenders' house nearly collapsed into the river on July 23, 1934, as piles supporting it sank into the riverbed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74613228/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea Bridge Drawhouse Tips as Supporting Piles Give Way |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 23, 1934 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A $292,222 contract ({{inflation|US-GDP|292222|1934|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) for repairs to the north span was issued on October 26, 1934.<ref name=oct1934>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74613933/the-boston-globe/ |title=North Chelsea Bridge Contract is Awarded |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 27, 1934 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The bridge closed to all traffic effective January 14, 1935.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74616177/the-boston-globe/ |title=Tunnel Tolls Cut on Monday |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 11, 1935 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Initial plans had called for streetcar service by the [[Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway]] (successor to the Lynn and Boston) to be maintained during construction.<ref name=oct1934 /> However, the Eastern Mass instead operated buses between Chelsea Square and [[Haymarket Square (Boston)|Haymarket Square]] via the [[Andrew P. McArdle Memorial Bridge|Meridian Street Bridge]] and the newly opened [[Sumner Tunnel]] under a permit issued just two days prior.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74615393/the-boston-globe/ |title=Cut in Tube Tolls Approved by State |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 12, 1935 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=century>{{cite book |title=Tremont Street Subway: A Century of Public Service |last1=Clarke |first1=Bradley H. |last2=Cummings |first2=O.R. |year=1997 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |isbn=0938315048 |pages=38, 39}}</ref> The bridge reopened on December 23, 1935, without streetcar tracks; the Eastern Mass continued its bus operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74615729/the-boston-globe/ |title=Chelsea Bridge Will Be Reopened Today |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 23, 1935 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=busreport />{{rp|231}} The [[Boston Elevated Railway]] began Chelsea Square–{{bts|City Square}} bus service over the bridge on July 2, 1936.<ref name=busreport />{{rp|58}}

===Construction and financing===
The new bridge was originally operated by the Mystic River Bridge Authority. The bridge, according to the statute enacted May 23, 1946, would be turned over to the [[Massachusetts Department of Public Works]] once the $27 million in bonds used to finance the bridge's construction was retired. The bridge would then become part of the state highway system to be maintained and operated by the department free of tolls.<ref>{{Cite book |publisher=Massachusetts General Court |title=House Bill 1979: An Act Providing For The Construction, Maintenance, Repair And Operation Of A High Level Toll Bridge Between The Cities Of Boston And Chelsea Over The Mystic River And The Tracks Of The Boston And Maine Railroad, Providing For The Creation Of The Mystic River Bridge Authority And Defining Its Powers And Duties And Providing For The Financing Of Said Project |url=http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/227780 |language=en |year=1946}}</ref> Operation of the bridge was turned over to the new [[Massachusetts Port Authority]] in 1956.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/actsresolvespass1956mass |title=Acts and resolves passed by the General Court |year=1956 |publisher=Massachusetts General Court}}</ref>

The Chelsea Bridge originally remained intact; the southern section remained open as truck access to Mystic Wharf, while the northern section was closed to traffic but still carried a water main across the Mystic River.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74451295/the-boston-globe/ |title=M. D. C. Asks Bridge Authority Pay for New Water Tunnel |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 17, 1950 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> State funding for a replacement water tunnel was approved in August 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74451150/the-boston-globe/ |title=How State Will Expend $394,000,000 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 20, 1950 |page=31 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74451176/the-boston-globe/ |title=Dever Signs State Market Authority Bill |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 10, 1950 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On January 28, 1951, six people in a wedding party died when they drove onto the Charlestown end of the closed bridge and fell into the river at the open north draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74450492/the-boston-globe/ |title=Inquiry Is Expected in Drawbridge Deaths |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 30, 1951 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74450968/the-boston-globe/ |title=Mystic Pier Highway Asked to Replace "Death" Viaduct |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 1, 1951 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The north draw and the north section of the viaduct were removed in 1954.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74451058/the-boston-globe/ |title=Demolishing Chelsea Viaduct Bridge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 8, 1954 |page=93 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A new street, Terminal Street, opened on August 21, 1956, to serve the Mystic Wharf; the old south draw was closed at that time and soon removed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74450265/the-boston-globe/ |title=Terminal St. Opened; City Abandons Chelsea South Draw |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 22, 1956 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A new fixed bridge was built near the alignment of the former south draw in 1982 as part of a project to remove trucks from neighborhood streets in Charlestown.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/chelseawaterstre00bost/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Draft Negative Declaration: Section 4(f) Statement |series=Chelsea–Water Streets Connector {{!}} Little Mystic Channel Crossing |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=June 17, 1977 |page=2 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d42ae2ac2cb640ac992f763570ce10ed |title=Bridges Web Application |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref> It provides only {{convert|12|feet}} clearance above the water, as the only vessels using the Little Mystic Channel were recreational boats using a 1970s-built boat ramp.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556031008238&view=1up&seq=480 |title=Final Environmental Impact Report (EOEA File Number 8695) and Final Environmental Impact Statement |volume=1 |series=Boston Harbor, Massachusetts: Navigation Improvement Project and Berth Dredging Project |page=A1-86 |chapter=Attachment 1: Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Evaluated for Potential Dredging and Disposal Sites |date=August 19, 1995 |via=HathiTrust |publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers}}</ref>

===Later events===
[[File:Boston Tobin Brg NNW von Boojum Rock 9521 20190430.jpg|thumb|Tobin Bridge from Boojum Rock, [[Malden, Massachusetts]], 2019]]
In 1967, the Mystic River Bridge was renamed in honor of [[Maurice J. Tobin]], former [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] mayor and Massachusetts governor. Construction of the bridge began during his term as governor (1945–1947). On May 2, 1983, one-way tolling was implemented on the Tobin Bridge and in the [[Sumner Tunnel|Sumner]] and [[Callahan Tunnel|Callahan]] tunnels in an attempt to reduce traffic jams. The northbound toll plaza was removed, while the southbound toll doubled to 50 cents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/170552511/ |title=One-way toll experiment starts in Hub tomorrow |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=May 1, 1983 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/170552483/ 21] |first=Fred |last=Pillsbury |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/170552349/ |title=One-way Tolls. [advertisement] |newspaper=The Daily Item |author=Massachusetts Port Authority |date=April 28, 1983 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!--Starting in the early 1990s the tolls increased sharply to help pay for the [[Big Dig (Boston, Massachusetts)|Big Dig]].-->

The bridge was transferred from Massport to the new [[Massachusetts Department of Transportation]] effective January 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eot.state.ma.us/massdotnewsletter/vol06.htm |title=Mass DOT Newsletter (volume 6) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108092747/http://www.eot.state.ma.us/massdotnewsletter/vol06.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 8, 2011|publisher=Massachusetts DOT}}</ref><ref>[http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw09/sl090025.htm Chapter 25 of the Acts of 2009.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007075227/http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2009/Chapter25 |date=October 7, 2012 }} Section 144. Section 156(b) reallocates bridge tolls from Massport to MassDOT effective July 1, 2010.</ref> The southbound toll plaza closed on July 21, 2014, and was later removed, in favor of all-electronic [[open road tolling]]. Both [[E-ZPass]] and "pay-by-mail" (using [[Automatic number plate recognition|license plate number recognition]]) were accepted. This began a 2½ year process by MassDOT which converted all of the toll roads and bridges throughout the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] to automatic open road tolling.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/2014/07/18/electronic-tolling-tobin-bridge|title=No Cash Allowed: Tobin Bridge Tolls Go All-Electronic Monday|last=Creamer|first=Alyssa|date=July 18, 2014|publisher=[[WBUR-FM]]|access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref> In 2016, the $2.50 southbound toll was replaced with $1.25 tolls in both directions, with a 30-cent surcharge for pay-by-mail.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2016/06/06/tobin-bridge-to-begin-charging-drivers-tolls-in-both-directions-but-at-an-adjusted-price |title=Tobin Bridge to begin charging drivers tolls in both directions, but at an adjusted price |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 6, 2016 |first=Nik |last=DeCosta-Klipa}}</ref>

In September 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a three-year $41.6 million project to restore the bridge deck, repair steel, and paint a portion of the bridge. The work ran April through November in 2018, 2019, and 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Young |first=Colin A. |url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2017/09/12/tobin-bridge-construction |title=Major Work On Tobin Bridge Is Set To Start In 2018 |work=[[WBUR-FM]] |publisher=State House News Service |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 }}</ref>

==Incidents==
In 1973, a gravel truck traveling over the lower deck crashed into a support, collapsing the upper deck onto the truck and killing the driver. Later that year, the bridge reopened after more than two months of repair.<ref>{{cite news|title=The (Mystic) Tobin Bridge|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/specials/insiders/2013/01/30/the-mystic-tobin-bridge/uy7kFdStAGYVzObJ7i0QlK/picture.html|access-date=February 2, 2013|newspaper=Boston Globe}}</ref> On January 4, 1990, [[racial hoax]]er and double murderer [[Charles Stuart (murderer)|Charles Stuart]] committed suicide by jumping from the bridge. Suicides and attempted suicides have been an issue for authorities in general as the design and weight of the bridge makes it impossible to add suicide prevention devices.<ref name="BHTB">{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/09/07/pair-who-jumped-off-tobin-bridge-expected-to-survive/|title=Pair Who Jumped off Tobin Bridge Expected to Survive|author=Alysis Richardson|publisher=Boston Herald|url-access=registration|date=September 7, 2009|accessdate=June 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://charlestownbridge.com/2014/02/21/man-dead-after-jumping-from-tobin-bridge/|title=Man Dead after Jumping from Tobin Bridge|publisher=Charlestown Bridge|date=February 21, 2014|accessdate=June 12, 2022}}</ref> [[MassDOT]] employees are thus trained to monitor security cameras and watch for any vehicles that stop on the bridge.<ref name="BHTB"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category inline}}

{{crossings navbox
|structure = Bridges
|place = [[Mystic River]]
|bridge = Tobin Bridge
|bridge signs = 
|upstream = [[Massachusetts Route 99|Alford Street]] Bridge (Malden Bridge)
|upstream signs = 
|downstream = [[Andrew P. McArdle Memorial Bridge]]
|downstream signs = ''[[Chelsea Creek]]''
}}

[[Category:Bridges in Boston]]
[[Category:Bridges in Suffolk County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Mystic River]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1950]]
[[Category:Double-decker bridges]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Truss bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Chelsea, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Charlestown, Boston]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 1]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Cantilever bridges in the United States]]