{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name= Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge |image=File:Frances Appleton Footbridge 03.jpg |caption= |official_name= |carries=Pedestrians |crosses=Storrow Drive |locale=Boston, Massachusetts |maint= |id= |design=Deck steel arch |mainspan={{convert|222|ft}} |length={{convert|607|ft}} |width={{convert|14|ft}} |height={{convert|21|ft}} |load= |clearance= |below= |traffic= |begin=2016 |complete=2018 |open=31 August 2018 |coordinates = {{coord|42.360629|-71.072423|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} }}
The '''Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge''' is a pedestrian bridge in Boston, Massachusetts that opened on August 31, 2018.<ref name=NamingLaw2>{{cite web|last=MassDOT|title=Longfellow Bridge|url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/charlesriverbridges/LongfellowBridge.aspx|access-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328060558/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/charlesriverbridges/LongfellowBridge.aspx|archive-date=28 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="open" /> The bridge, which crosses Storrow Drive, is named in recognition of the celebrated courtship and marriage of Frances “Fanny” Appleton and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, after whom an adjacent larger bridge is named.<ref name=NamingLaw>{{cite web| last=The Commonwealth of Massachusetts|title=Session Law|url=https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter108|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Murphy" />
== Design and construction == thumb|left|Installation of the deck on the main span of the Frances Appleton Bridge
The Frances Appleton Bridge was completed in 2018, at an estimated construction cost of $12.5 million.<ref name=Murphy>{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Dan|title=New Foot Bridge to be Next to Longfellow|url=http://beaconhilltimes.com/2015/07/22/new-foot-bridge-to-be-next-to-longfellow/|access-date=2015-07-24|work=Beacon Hill Times|publisher=Independent Newspaper Group|date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> The bridge opened on August 31, 2018,<ref name=open>{{cite tweet|user=MassDot|number=1035567145239887873|date=31 August 2018|title=#Boston: new Fanny Appleton Pedestrian Bridge now open ahead of schedule! @MassDCR}}</ref> and is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The bridge consists of a contemporary tubular steel arch with a main span approximately {{convert|222|ft}} long over Storrow Drive via a {{convert|14|ft|adj=on}} wide deck that accommodates both bicyclists and pedestrians. The bridge is {{convert|550|ft}} in length and was designed to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act maximum slope requirements, and also to avoid large trees in the parkland while also maximizing views.
The sculptural curves and lightness of the bridge make it appear to float above the parkland and its Y-shaped vertical supports mimic tree branches. Aesthetic lighting complements the narrow-beam pin lights that illuminate the walking path, creating a safe and interesting destination at night. The bridge enhances its historic setting while providing greater access and visibility to all users.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge|url=https://www.bostonpreservation.org/advocacy-project/frances-appleton-pedestrian-bridge|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Boston Preservation Alliance|language=en}}</ref> left|thumb|Frances Appleton Bridge Naming Plaque
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Frances Appleton Bridge}} {{Portal|Engineering|Transport}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130328060558/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/charlesriverbridges/LongfellowBridge.aspx MassDOT Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Project Website] * [http://backbaysun.com/2012/04/10/miguel-rosales-building-a-better-bridge-for-esplanade/ Miguel Rosales: Building a Better Bridge for Esplanade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626125521/http://backbaysun.com/2012/04/10/miguel-rosales-building-a-better-bridge-for-esplanade/ |date=2015-06-26 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101007140251/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/10/06/state_seeks_upgrade_to_charles_circle_footbridge/ State seeks upgrade to Charles footbridge] * [http://beaconhilltimes.com/2013/04/16/longfellow-bridge-project-to-impact-traffic-mbta-service/ Longfellow Bridge Project to Impact Traffic, MBTA Service] * [http://beaconhilltimes.com/2018/09/14/frances-appleton-pedestrian-bridge-across-storrow-opens-to-the-public/ Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge Across Storrow Opens to the Public] * [http://beaconhilltimes.com/2019/04/12/miguel-rosales-discusses-iconic-bridges-at-tea-annual-meeting/ Miguel Rosales Discusses Iconic Bridges at TEA Annual Meeting] * [http://beaconhilltimes.com/2019/06/21/appleton-bridge-receives-arthur-g-hayden-medal/ Appleton Bridge Receives Arthur G. Hayden Medal] * [https://beaconhilltimes.com/2019/09/13/officials-residents-cut-ribbon-at-fanny-appleton-footbridge/ Officials, Residents Cut Ribbon at Fanny Appleton Footbridge]
Category:Arch bridges in the United States Category:Bridges in Boston Category:Pedestrian bridges in Massachusetts Category:Steel bridges in the United States