Arkwright Bridge facts for kids
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Arkwright Bridge over the Pawtuxet River in 2018
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The Arkwright Bridge is an old, important bridge in central Rhode Island. It used to carry Hill Street over the Pawtuxet River. This river forms the boundary between the towns of Cranston and Coventry. The bridge is located in the Arkwright mill village, which was once a busy industrial area.
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A Bridge Through Time
The very first bridge at this spot was made of wood. It was built in the early 1800s. At that time, the bridge was entirely within the town of Cranston.
In 1887, a special decision was made. It changed the border between Coventry and Cranston to run along the Pawtuxet River. Because of this, a new iron bridge was needed. Both towns worked together to get it built. They also agreed to share the costs of keeping the new bridge in good shape.
Building the Iron Bridge
The iron Arkwright Bridge was finished in 1888. It was built by a company called Dean & Westbrook. The Town of Coventry and the Interlaken Mills helped pay for it. Interlaken Mills later became known as the Arkwright Mills.
This bridge is very special. It is the longest surviving truss bridge from the 1800s in all of Rhode Island. Because of its historical importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This list includes places that are important to American history.
How the Bridge Was Built
The Arkwright Bridge is quite large. It measures about 128 feet (39 meters) long. It is also about 19 feet (6 meters) wide. The main structure of the bridge is 21 feet (6.4 meters) deep.
The bridge uses a design called a "Pratt truss." A truss is a framework of connected beams. This design helps the bridge support a lot of weight. The Arkwright Bridge has a single span, meaning it crosses the river in one continuous section.
The Bridge's Later Years
In 2004, there was an idea to move the Arkwright Bridge. The plan was to place it in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It would have become part of a new walking path along the Pawtuxet River. However, the bridge was never moved.
Why the Bridge Closed
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is in charge of roads and bridges. They looked at the Arkwright Bridge and saw it was getting old. They suggested closing it for safety reasons.
After a closer check, they decided the bridge could not hold much weight. The limit was lowered from 5 tons to less than 3 tons. Because of this, both towns decided to close the bridge. It was closed on Friday, September 30, 2011, after being open for 123 years.
Even though it's closed to cars, the Arkwright Bridge is still popular. Many local young people enjoy jumping and swimming from it. The jump is about 12 feet (3.6 meters) high, and the water below is usually about 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep.
