Olde New England supplies granite for Longfellow Bridge Project

Words: Bill EnglandOlde New England Granite in Wakefield, Mass., has been selected to supply all the matching Rockport granite for the state’s 3.5-year rehabilitation and expansion project. The reclaimed granite was rescued from one historic bridge project a few years ago by the Wakefield Co. and now will be used to complete the redesign specifications of the Longfellow Bridge.

Cape Ann/Rockport Granite, the granite needed to complete the Longfellow Bridge project, is no longer commercially quarried. It is available only in reclaimed form. However, Olde New England Granite is able to supply the Longfellow needs because of another major bridge project it was involved with several years ago. The historic Essex-Merrimac Drawbridge yielded the company about 3,000 tons of Rockport granite pier blocks. Little did they know at the time that they would be supplying this matching granite to the even more famous Longfellow Bridge.

Olde New England Granite also is reclaiming all the Deer Isle Granite currently being removed from the Longfellow deck. The granite block and curbing that lined the railway is being removed due to redesign specifications.
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic