Bosch Bridge, the lift bridge of Barracas
The Bosch Bridge (Puente Bosch) is a bascule bridge crossing the Riachuelo, linking the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Barracas with Piñeyro in Avellaneda. Opened in 1908, it is one of the lesser-known places in Buenos Aires for anyone interested in historic engineering and the industrial landscape of the Riachuelo.
It opened in 1908 as a metal bridge for trams; today it keeps gears that no longer move anything but were left in view for their historic value. Its name is tied to one of the most remembered tragedies on the Riachuelo.
The history of the Bosch Bridge
The Bosch Bridge crosses the Riachuelo and connects the Barracas neighbourhood in the City of Buenos Aires with Piñeyro in the Avellaneda district of Buenos Aires Province. It runs parallel to the General Roca railway tracks. It is a metal bascule bridge and was inaugurated on 30 July 1908.
Originally its roadway consisted only of two tracks for trams, resting on a grid of wooden slats. Over time its use changed from trams to road traffic, and the tracks were replaced by a layer of asphalt. The sources note that during its long service life it had several repairs and that the ability to raise the central span was abandoned, as happened with the other bridges over the Riachuelo.
Its history is tied to a tragedy. At 6:05 on 12 July 1930, a car of tram 105 kept going while the bridge was raised and fell into the waters of the Riachuelo. Fifty-six of the 60 passengers died, most of them workers from Gerli, La Mosca and Piñeyro on their way to work. The sources record it as the Riachuelo tram accident.
In 2001 the bridge was closed because of its deterioration. It was refurbished by the Ministry of Planning and Public Works of the City of Buenos Aires, which took charge of its maintenance, and reopened in June 2008 with height (4.1 metres) and weight (12 tonnes) restrictions. During the works, elements with advanced corrosion were reinforced or replaced, and different solutions were adopted for the fixed spans and the moving one.
In September 2015 a proposal was made to adapt it for pedestrian use only, under the name Puente de las Mariposas (Butterflies Bridge), to connect the Centro Metropolitano de Diseño in Barracas with the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in Avellaneda.
Curious facts about the Bosch Bridge
- The gear systems visible at the north end no longer have a mechanical function and turn freely; they were kept for their historic value and particular appeal.
- The lift span is now operated by two electronically regulated hydraulic pistons, instead of the original electromechanical system of counterweights and toothed wheels.
- The moving span is designed to rise to about 70 degrees, opening a passage of around 18 metres in roughly two minutes.
- The riveted structure has three spans: two fixed at the ends and a central lifting one, with Warren-type lattice girders.
- The comic strip Sherlock Time, by Héctor Oesterheld and Alberto Breccia, published in the magazine Hora Cero, mentions the bridge's tram accident. In it relatives of the victims try to recreate it.
- In 2015 it was proposed to turn it into a pedestrian promenade called Puente de las Mariposas.
Tours near Bosch Bridge
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting the Bosch Bridge
- It links Calle Algarrobo in Barracas with Piñeyro in Avellaneda. It carries vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, with height and weight limits for vehicles.
- It is worth looking closely at the riveted structure and at the gears at the north end, preserved for their historic value.
- The bridge runs beside the General Roca railway line, which gives a view of the industrial landscape of the Riachuelo.
- According to the site's list, Caminito and the Nicolás Avellaneda Transporter Bridge are a few kilometres away, so they can be combined in one outing.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Bosch Bridge is
Photos of Bosch Bridge
Questions
What is the Bosch Bridge in Buenos Aires?
It is a metal bascule bridge over the Riachuelo linking Barracas, in the City of Buenos Aires, with Piñeyro in Avellaneda. It was inaugurated on 30 July 1908.
Where is the Bosch Bridge?
Over the Riachuelo, between Calle Algarrobo in Barracas and Piñeyro in the Avellaneda district, beside the General Roca railway line.
What happened at the Bosch Bridge in 1930?
On 12 July 1930 a tram kept going with the bridge raised and fell into the Riachuelo. Fifty-six of its 60 passengers died, most of them workers going to their jobs.
Can you cross the Bosch Bridge?
Yes. Since it reopened in June 2008 it carries vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, with limits of 4.1 metres in height and 12 tonnes in weight.
Does the Bosch Bridge still lift?
Its central span is designed to rise to about 70 degrees with a hydraulic system, although the sources also say that the ability to raise it was abandoned during its service life.
What is the Bosch Bridge made of?
A riveted metal structure of three spans, two fixed and one central lifting span, with Warren-type lattice girders.
Also nearby
Caminito
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Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity
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Usina del Arte
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