The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, fondly known as the "Zakim Bridge," glows under the starry nights and city lights of Boston. Completed in 2003 and visible from miles away, it is one of the more glamorous products of the famous Big Dig (a multi-billion dollar Boston highway project infamous both for inconveniencing drivers and for superfluous spending).
Leonard P. Zakim, for whom this bridge is named, was a political figure and civil rights activist in Boston, MA during the 20th century. He died of cancer in 1999, but left his mark on the world, with his many publications and charitable foundations. He founded A World of Difference Institute, a project focusing on diversity awareness and anti-bias education, and authored two books and several papers on racial relations, anti-Semitism, and diversity.
About a year before opening to cars and pedestrians, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus sent out their weighty elephant pals to test the bridge's sturdiness. On October 14th, 2002, 14 elephants proudly strutted over the length of the bridge and confirmed that the bridge holds almost 60,000 tons.
The bridge spans almost 1500 feet across and 200 feet wide, making it one of the widest cable bridges ever built. Over 100 thick silver cables support this architectural wonder, contributing to its majestic beauty. Dim blue and white lights highlight the frame, enriching the Boston skyline and making the drive between I-93 and Storrow Drive visually stunning.
