Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge
The Leonard P. Zakim (/ˈzeɪkəm/) Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge (also known as “The Zakim”) (also known as the Bill Buckner) is a cable-stayed bridge completed in 2003 across the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a replacement for the Charlestown High Bridge, an older truss bridge constructed in the 1950s.
Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge | |
|---|---|
The bridge, seen in 2011 | |
| Coordinates | 42°22′08″N 71°03′48″W |
| Carries | 10 lanes of I-93 / US 1 |
| Crosses | Charles River, MBTA Orange Line |
| Locale | Boston, Massachusetts (North End–Charlestown) |
| Official name | Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Maintained by | Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Hybrid Steel and Concrete Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 1,432 ft (436 m) |
| Width | 183 ft (56 m) |
| Height | 270 ft (82 m) |
| Longest span | 745 ft (227 m) |
| Clearance below | 40 ft (12 m) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $105 million |
| Opened | March 30, 2003 (northbound) December 20, 2003 (southbound) |
| Location | |
The bridge and connecting tunnel were built as part of the Big Dig, the largest highway construction project in the United States. The bridge's unique styling quickly became an icon for Boston, often featured in the backdrop of national news channels, to establish location, and included on tourist souvenirs. The bridge is commonly referred to as the "Zakim Bridge" or "Bunker Hill Bridge" by residents of nearby Charlestown.
The Leverett Circle Connector Bridge was constructed in conjunction with the Zakim Bridge, allowing some traffic to bypass it.