New Haven in 1780 was given permission by the General Assembly to build a bridge across the Quinnipiac River, or Dragon River as it was then called, to connect New Haven with East Haven. Money was raised for the new bridge through a lottery but it still was not enough.
In 1789 a committee worked on the expense for the proposed bridge and finalized the expenses with the bridge builder.
The thought of building a bridge was not a well thought out plan for people who lived in East Haven, because the town was thriving on a lucrative ferry business taking individuals and goods across the river. Even though East Haven was against the building of the bridge they hesitated to file the proper papers to stop the building of the bridge.
In 1791 permission was finally given by the General Assembly to build the bridge, after many failed objections from East Haven. Henry Daggett, James Prescott and Thomas Punderson built the first bridge in Fair Haven. There was not enough money to build and maintain the bridge therefore individuals paid a toll in order to cross the bridge.
The bridge was fenced on both sides and at all times attended by someone to accommodate the public and help people to pass.
"The bridge was completed in 1791 along with a wide highway christened Grand Street. Herman Hutchkiss, the founder of New Haven, bought the first piece of land. The Dragon Bridge and Grand Street made a big difference between New Haven and East Haven. There were no more frustrating scenarios to deal with fear of crossing the river during bad weather and causing the river to be unsafe. The towns of New Haven and East Haven were now joined by a bridge people could walk across. These two towns seized the opportunity jointly. People began to settle around the bridge creating farms and a flourishing oyster business while building clapboard houses and large barns.
The first bridge being made of wood began to deteriorate after sixty years. Many businesses and homes surround both sides of the bridge. New talks began about repairing the bridge or building a new bridge. The bridge had a draw so that vessels could pass through. The draw was constantly being hit by ice in the winter and flood tides in the spring. It got so bad until a plank had to be put down in order for one to cross the bridge."
In the early part of 1898 a new Grand Avenue Bridge was completed after the community used a temporary bridge for two years while the new bridge was being completed. The new bridge was built at the expense to the city of New Haven. The total net cost of the bridge was $135, 465.98.
The new Grand Avenue Bridge over the Quinnipiac River was completed in the early part of the year. The contract for the construction of the substructure was signed in 1896 and work began on the temporary bridge, which was to serve the public during the construction of the new bridge. The new bridge was opened to the public in 1898, although there still remained to be done the laying of the asphalt pavement on the sidewalks and some further work on the gates and on the machinery. This bridge was built at the joint expense of the City and Town of New Haven, and under the supervision of the City Engineer, and a joint committee on bridges representing the Board of Public Works of the City, and the Selectmen of the Town. The total net cost of the bridge to the City and Town was $135,465.98 one half of which was paid by the City of New Haven.
The total length of the bridge is four hundred and twenty-seven and one-half (427½) feet, and consists of four fixed deck plate girder spans, two at each end, and one swing span at the center, 210 feet long from center to center of end pins. The width is 52 feet from center to center of sidewalk railings, and the width of roadway between wheel guards is thirty-four (34) feet.
The entire roadway of the bridge is paved with vitrified brick on a flooring of creosote yellow pine, covered with two thickness of three-ply tarred roofing felt, one-fourth of an inch of water proof cement, composed of coal tar and bitumen, and a cushion of sand. The sidewalk is paved with a mixture of Seyssel rock asphalt mastic, fine grit and refined bitumen on a flooring of creosote yellow pine covered with two layers of three-ply roofing felt. The paving of roadway and sidewalks was done by the Connecticut Concrete Company as sub-contractors.
The swing span has about one-sixth of its weight carried at the center and five-sixths on the outer rim of the drum of the turntable. This load is distributed in equal parts at eight different points on the drum by means of radial and distributing girders.
The bridge is turned and has its ends raised and lowered and latched by electricity. The gates are operated by hand. All the controlling devices and wheels and levers for handling the gates are in the tender's overhead house.
Improvements in metal-truss technology allowed the construction of larger and stronger swing bridges. In addition to the trusses themselves, the many specialized components of the swing bridges underwent constant development in the late 19th century. Swing bridges changed from hand cranks to steam engines to electric drive, and iron-roller rim bearings gave way to phosphor bronze center-bearing pivots.
Bascules could more easily be built in congested settings, they provided a singlewide channel rather than two narrower ones, and they could be opened part way for smaller boats. Steel girders, carefully machined trunnions (the axles that bear the weight of the bascules as they open), concrete counterweights and steam or electric-driven gearing replaced the timber bascule technology of an earlier era.
Since then, there has been a renovation of the Grand Avenue bridge in January 1980. The renovation closed traffic for several years. This created a change in the area travel direction. At this time neighbors of the Grand Avenue bridge felt the great inconvenience of having to go around to the next bridge (Ferry St.). Travel time was increased by public transportation, and especially if you are a walker this could make even a greater difference.
Fair Haven has the personality shaped by time and tradition to become a most interesting and graceful historic district. As an oyster center of the past, this part of the city retains a basic charm. There is architecture to be preserved; both residents and visitors can savor architecture that gives this neighborhood flavor.