Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge

Braga Bridge
Braga Bridge from Somerset, MA, with its 2011 blue paint job
Coordinates41°42′23.62″N 71°09′56.51″W / 41.7065611°N 71.1656972°W / 41.7065611; -71.1656972
Carries I-195
CrossesTaunton River
LocaleSomerset and Fall River, Massachusetts
Official nameCharles M. Braga Jr. Bridge
Characteristics
DesignContinuous through truss, single intersection Warren truss with verticals. Approach spans are plate girders.[1]
Total length5,780 feet (1,760 m)[1]
Width101.3 feet (30.9 m)[1]
Height254 feet (77 m) (Height of towers)
Longest span840 ft (256 m)[1]
Clearance below135 feet (41 m)[1]
History
Construction cost$22 million
Opened1966, 1989
Statistics
Daily traffic80,000 - 100,000 vehicles per day
Location
Map

The Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge, also known as the Braga Bridge, or simply, The Braga, is a through truss bridge that carries Interstate 195 over the Taunton River between the town of Somerset and the city of Fall River, near the mouth of the Quequechan River at the confluence with Mount Hope Bay. At just over a mile long, The Braga Bridge spans 1.25 miles (2.01 km) and is one of the longest bridges in Massachusetts. Opened to traffic on April 15, 1966,[2] it provides an important link between Providence, Rhode Island, Fall River, New Bedford, and Cape Cod.

  1. ^ a b c d e MassHighway Charles M. Braga Bridge Archived March 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Our View: The Braga Bridge turns 50".