Covered Bridges

A classic New England-covered bridge.

#1 LINCOLN COVERED BRIDGE in WEST WOODSTOCK

The Lincoln Covered Bridge spans the Ottauquechee River, a short way west of the village of West Woodstock. It is just south of US 4, connecting that road to Bridges Road and Fletcher Hill Road on the south side of the river. It is a single span, 136 feet (41 m) in length, resting on concrete and stone abutments, and is 18.5 feet (5.6 m) wide with a roadway width of 14 feet (4.3 m) (one lane). The bridge is supported by two arch trusses, which are sheltered by a post-and-beam structure finished with a metal standing seam roof and vertical board siding. The trusses are a variant of the Pratt truss, with laminated arches supporting the deck by a combination of wooden and iron verticals, with iron cross bracing. In 1989, the bridge was rehabilitated and strengthened by the Vermont Agency of Transportation. The purpose of the project was to restore the structure to its original condition and increase its load-carrying capacity to safely carry emergency vehicles. Restoration focused primarily on rebuilding the ends of the top and bottom chords of the trusses that had deteriorated over the previous century. All of the restoration work was performed using materials and details as close to the original as possible. The increase in strength was accomplished by post-tensioning the two trusses below the bottom wooden chords with high-strength coated steel rods. These rods, as well as other structural steel upgrades required to increase the strength, are hidden from view by the wooden siding in order to maintain the historic look of the bridge. The two Pratt trusses are still the fully functioning main structural supports for the bridge. In addition, skylights were added to the metal roof to allow natural light into the structure due to its long span. These skylights are made from translucent corrugated (to match the contour of the existing roofing)polyvinyl material. Existing braided steel cables anchoring the upstream ends of the bridge to the shore were also removed at this time. The cables were previously installed to protect the bridge from washing away in a flood or ice flow. However, this method proved to cause the destruction of these covered wooden bridges at other locations in the country during one of these events. It was determined at the time that letting the structure move and float with the flowing water/ice would cause the least amount of damage. After one of these events, the structure could then be reset with heavy equipment and/or cranes, repaired, and put back in service in a much shorter timespan and significantly lower cost.[2][3]

The bridge was built in 1877 by R.W. Pinney and B.H. Pinney (of Bridgewater and Woodstock, respectively), about thirty years after the Pratt truss was patented. According to covered bridge history Richard S. Allen, it is the only known surviving use of the Pratt truss in wood; this form is seen much more widely in metal bridges built later.

#2 MIDDLE COVERED BRIDGE in WOODSTOCK, VERMONT

Built in 1969 by Milton Graton to replace an 1877 iron bridge, the Middle Covered Bridge is the second-youngest structure on our list but contains centuries’ worth of charm! That’s because it was constructed using traditional methods and materials down to the wooden pegs in lieu of nails. After it was set aflame by arsonists in 1974, the bridge was repaired to its current glory, as seen today. With a separate walkway for foot traffic and its location on a quiet side street, it’s easy to snap your own spectacular shot.

#3 TAFTSVILLE COVERED BRIDGE in TAFTSVILLE, VERMONT

After three predecessors were lost to floodwaters in rapid succession, Solomon Emmons III was contracted to build the timber-framed Taftsville Covered Bridge that stands today. Completed in 1836, it is one of the oldest covered bridges in the nation and the longest on our list, spanning 189 feet.

In recent years, it has survived Hurricane Irene and a hit-and-run, a rare accolade thanks, in part, to its early craftsman design, likely influenced by Swiss tradition. The modified multiple kingpost truss design, complete with arches, is not based on any US patent but remains one of the most stunning and effective designs in covered bridge history.

Be cognizant as you stop at the roadside for photos of this bridge as bright as a candy apple, as traffic is slow but consistent.

You can cross the covered bridge to reach Simon Pearce in Quechee, Vermont, or keep driving on Route 4 and turn left at the blinking light to return to the same place.

#4. There is a Covered bridge in Quechee next to Simon Pearce's glass-blowing studio, shop, and restaurant. You will need reservations for the restaurant.

If you want to see a very long covered bridge and also go to lunch at Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, Vermont, follow the directions posted below after you pass the Taftsville covered bridge in Taftsville, Vermont, just outside of Woodstock.

After you see Taftsville Covered Bridge, you have a choice. You can drive down Route 12 to Hartland and onto Route 5 to Windsor. Stop for lunch at Harpoon Brewery (Route 5 in Windsor) and visit Path of Life Gardens (Memorial Day weekend-Columbus Day weekend). Continue on to Windsor to see the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, pictured here:

#5 CORNISH-WINDSOR COVERED BRIDGE in WINDSOR, VERMONT. Drive down Route 5 and take a left at the light by Cumberland Farms.

Windsor-Cornish Bridge, a 465-foot covered bridge that passes into New Hampshire.

To get to the Windsor-Cornish bridge.....

Taftsville on Route 4

Turn right onto VT-12 S

7.7 mi

📷

Turn right to stay on VT-12 S

4.8 mi

📷

Turn right onto State St

33 ft

Windsor

Vermont 05089

Or, onto the Quechee Covered Bridge.
Remain on Route 4 heading to Quechee, Vermont, and take a left at the blinking light to see Quechee Covered Bridge.

#5 QUECHEE COVERED BRIDGE in QUECHEE, VERMONT

(You can cross Taftsville Covered Bridge and take right onto a road that leads to Quechee.)

Want more? Plan a full day trip.....

This Covered Bridge Road Trip In Vermont Is Picture Perfect For A Winter Day

Vermont is known for its picturesque covered bridges, and this Vermont covered bridges map showcases all the marvelous wooden covered bridges in Vermont. There are more than 100 in the state, and there are more covered bridges per capita than in any other state in the U.S.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com

4 covered bridges that epitomize Vermont charm: A visual tour

Vermont is where beauty meets history. And what better represents that union than a covered bridge that's withstood traffic, flood-waters, and the even more taxing test of time?

https://www.woodstockvt.com

This Amazing Hiking Trail In Vermont Takes You Through An Abandoned Train Tunnel

Covered bridges and Vermont scenery go hand in hand. While spotting these bridges isn't rare, a covered bridge that once carried a train through certainly is! There are very few left standing in the US, and the Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge in Wolcot is a fine specimen to behold.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com

MORE......

Southern Vermont Covered Bridges | My Site

Southern Vermont Covered Bridges Covered bridges are one of southern Vermont's primary tourist attractions, and there is no shortage of original, authentic, and historic examples. In a short drive on back roads between Brattleboro and White River Junction, and west to Arlington, there are plenty of original covered bridges, some of them among the most historically important and picturesque in the United States.

https://www.bridgespotting.com