Drawbridge Replacement – Beach Road over Lagoon Pond

Heavy/Civil Infrastructure, Bridges
Bid Build
Oak Bluffs - Tisbury, MA
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Award Winner

The drawbridge project involved the replacement of the current temporary steel bascule bridge with a new, 7-span bascule bridge.

The work included removal of the existing temporary bridge and substructure, installation of a multi- use walkway, installation of two fender piers, approach work, and the installation of bridge piers, retaining walls, and a seawall.

Construction also included a pathway that goes under the bridge on the Tisbury side and around to a small landscaped area with picnic tables and benches. There is an access road to that area on the Lagoon Pond side, which required the addition of a rain run-off catch basin.

2016 – Top 10 Bridge Projects

By the Numbers

350’, 60’ Bascule Span
New Bascule Bridge

600’
New East Approach

1.1K’
New West Approach

36 (36”), 104 (12”), 52 (18”)
Abutment Piers Founded on Pipe Piles

$42M
Project value

Scope of Work
  • Demolition and replacement of the temporary steel bascule bridge and approaches
  • Installation of walkway, piles, bridge piers, retaining walls, and seawall
  • Construction of pathway under the bridge and addition of a rain run-off catch basin
  • Install submarine cables for primary power and secondary power to the bascule
  • New fenders to protect the bascule piers
Unique Challenges
  • Maintaining channel access for boat traffic through construction
  • Limited access, the only means of transporting materials to the island is by barge or ferry