Section 8  

Assabet Bridge

In the third leg of the journey the water through the Wachusett Aqueduct encountered an obstacle. Its crossing over a millpond on the Assabet River near Allen Street in Northborough necessitated the construction of a high arched stone bridge, not unlike the aqueducts of old as built by the Romans.

For this type of construction cofferdams were built for each stone pier, derricks lifted the heavy stones into place, carpenters built temporary wooden arches and highly skilled stonemasons and stonecutters made sure the complicated geometry all fit together.

This beautiful structure can be visited today in Northborough near Allen Street.

Thanks,

Paul