Browns River Covered Bridge

The Browns River Covered Bridge, also called the Westford Covered Bridge,[1] is a covered bridge that crosses Browns River off State Route 128 in Westford, Vermont.

Browns River Covered Bridge
Coordinates44°36′45″N 73°00′29″W / 44.61250°N 73.00806°W / 44.61250; -73.00806
CarriesPedestrian
(closed to motor traffic)
CrossesBrowns River
LocaleWestford, Vermont
Maintained byTown of Westford
ID numberVT-04-05
Characteristics
DesignCovered, Burr arch
MaterialWood
Total length97 ft (30 m)
No. of spans1
History
Constructed byunknown
Construction end1838
Location
Map

The bridge is of Burr arch design by an unknown builder.

Recent history

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The bridge was closed to traffic in the 1960s, and was bypassed by a concrete bridge alongside. In 1976 some repair work was done by the Vermont Naval Reserve and volunteers from the town. But even that work was not enough and the bridge was closed to even foot traffic. In 1987 the firm of Graton Associates was hired to rehabilitate the bridge. The ensuing work was filmed by a crew from National Geographic doing a piece on Milton Graton's life as a bridge restorer. The bridge was rededicated in 2001, although it remains closed to motor traffic at this time.[1][2]

The article found at The Browns River Bridge - a Covered Bridge Preservation Story has a very comprehensive recounting of the work performed.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Barna, Ed. Covered Bridges of Vermont. The Countryman Press, 1996. ISBN 0-88150-373-8
  2. ^ Nelson, Joe. "The Browns River Bridge - a Covered Bridge Preservation Story". Vermont Covered Bridges Society Chronicles Website. 1999