Joseph E. Muller Bridge

Bridge in Massachusetts, Hampden County; Massachusetts

42°12′58″N 72°36′28″W / 42.21611°N 72.60778°W / 42.21611; -72.60778Carries

US 202CrossesConnecticut RiverLocaleSouth Hadley, Hampshire County to Holyoke, Massachusetts, Hampden County; MassachusettsMaintained byMassachusetts Highway DepartmentID numberH210350VPMHDNBICharacteristicsDesignmulti-stringer Girder and Floorbeam systemMaterialSteelTotal length440.1 metres (1,444 ft)Width19.2 metres (63 ft)No. of spans7Load limit52 Metric TonsHistoryOpened1958StatisticsDaily traffic23,491 (2018)^[1]Location Map

The Joseph E. Muller Bridge is a crossing of the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts, connecting the communities of Holyoke and South Hadley. The bridge carries U.S. Route 202 (US 202).

History and construction of the bridge

The bridge was constructed in 1958 as part of a new bypass of U.S. Route 202 (Purple Heart Drive). The bypass was built in anticipation of increased traffic through downtown Holyoke heading towards South Hadley from Interstate 91, which was under construction at the time. Prior to the construction of the bridge, Route 202 used the nearby South Hadley Falls bridge (Vietnam Memorial Bridge) to cross the Connecticut River.

The bridge was named as a memorial to Holyoke native Joseph E. Muller, a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

References

^ "Location ID 2163, Transportation Data Management". MassDOT. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
^ A report to Governor Foster Furcolo on the Massachusetts Highway Program and other Department activities, Sept. 12, 1959. Massachusetts Department of Public Works. 1959. p. 84.