Middlesex Canal – Shawsheen Aqueduct

1

Route 129
Billerica, MA

(42.5680542,-71.2151413)

Directions

There is no parking or sidewalks on Rt 129. Park on a nearby side-street and carefully walk a short distance on the shoulder until you reach the bridge in front of the aqueduct. There is space behind a guardrail to stand.

All Destinations Canals & Waterways

The Middlesex Canal was built from 1793 to 1803 allowing travel between Boston and Merrimack River in Lowell. Eight aqueducts were constructed along the canal. These were elevated wooden sections of canal about three feet deep which let canal barges cross over rivers.
The Shawsheen aqueduct was probably completed around 1796. The wooden aqueduct has rotted away but the abutments remain on either side of the riverbank and the 20 foot tall granite pier still sits in the middle of the river. Small ledges are visible on either side of the pier which supported the wooden braces holding up the aqueduct.