Salem Beverly Bridge

The first Essex Bridge was built in 1788 by a group of business people, to replace the ferry service which previously carried people from Salem to Beverly.

The original steel swing span Salem Beverly bridge was built in 1897, and both approaches were reconstructed in 1916.

Local talk of building a new, fixed span bridge began in the 1980's or before.

It will replace the antiquated Essex Bridge, an 18 foot high drawbridge whose frequent openings for passing boats have cause traffic tie-ups for generations.

On Aug. 31 1996, a new steel and concrete fixed-span bridge opened for travel between Salem and Beverly, now named the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The dedication for the bridge was on Aug. 2nd. Construction on the bridge began in 1993, part of a state project to ease traffic in the area. The project also involves construction of a bypass road in Salem to run alongside the North River and parallel to Bridge Street.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Salem Beverly Bridge

"Long road finally ends at new bridge" Boston Sunday Globe, Aug. 11, 1996, p. N 1

The building of Essex Bridge Robert Rantoul, 1894.