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Along the Freedom Trail, just north of
Copp's Hill Burying Ground, is the
beautiful Leonard P. Zakim / Bunker Hill Bridge. The 10 lane cable-stayed bridge is the crowning structure of the multi-billion
dollar Big Dig Project. The bridge replaced a decaying steel truss bridge over the Charles River
that connected to the Tobin Bridge.
Lenny Zakim (1953-1999) was a civil rights hero. Boston has experienced some tumultuous periods in race relations in its long history. Zakim dedicated his life
to reducing prejudice and to bring diverse groups together. He was the New England Director of the
Anti-Defamation League, and made great improvements in relations between the Jewish and African-American groups in greater Boston. His efforts
allowed varying groups to work together to achieve improvements in civil rights.
In 1985, Zakim started the World of Difference Institute, with a goal of combating racism,
anti-Semitism, prejudice and bigotry, in any form. He was honored in 1999 with the title of Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Paul II in
recognition of his life's work in mending relations between different groups. The Lenny Fund was
established locally in his honor.
The Zakim Bridge is best viewed from a distance at night, as powerful blue lights accentuate its tall towers and cables. The bridge does not
have a pedestrian walkway, so it can be observed from the North End. The south tower of the bridge is 295 feet tall, and the
north 327 feet tall. Each tower is also a representation of the
Bunker Hill Monument.
MORE PHOTOS
Directions:
By foot, the Zakim Bridge can be viewed from the Charlestown Bridge at Joe Tecce Way
(North Washington) and Causeway Streets. Please note this is a dangerous
intersection for pedestrians. From the
Freedom Trail, just follow the
Trail to the Charlestown Bridge. It's about a five minute walk from
Copp's Hill Burying Ground in the North End. From North Station on the
MBTA Green and Orange Lines, walk east on Causeway Street from the
TD Garden, and the
bridge will be visible on the left. Keep walking east one long block
and take a left onto the Charlestown Bridge (a steel truss bridge built in
1901).
Return to
Freedom Trail Page
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