Bridge 6 (Johnson, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridge 6
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Railroad St., Johnson, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | Bethlehem Steel Co. |
| Architectural style | Pratt through truss |
| MPS | Metal Truss, Masonry, and Concrete Bridges in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001300 |
| Added to NRHP | December 20, 2007 |
The Railroad Street Bridge is a special old bridge in Johnson, Vermont. It carries Railroad Street over the Lamoille River. This bridge was built in 1928. It was needed after a very big flood in 1927 that damaged many bridges. It's one of the few bridges left that uses a design called a "Pratt through truss." Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It's also known as Bridge 6.
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About the Railroad Street Bridge
The Railroad Street Bridge is just south of the main part of Johnson. It helps people cross the Lamoille River. This bridge connects the village to areas south of it. In the past, it also led to a railroad line. That old railroad line is now a walking and biking path called the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Bridge Design and Size
The bridge uses a design called a "Pratt through truss." This means the main support structure is above the road. It has a single span, which is like one long section. This section is about 140 feet (43 m) long. The bridge itself is about 23 feet (7.0 m) wide. It sits on strong concrete supports called abutments.
There's also a sidewalk on one side of the bridge. This sidewalk is about 5 feet (1.5 m) wide. It sticks out from the side of the bridge. The road part of the bridge is made of concrete. This concrete sits on strong metal beams.
Building the Bridge
The Railroad Street Bridge was built in 1928. The metal parts of the bridge were made by the Bethlehem Steel Company. This bridge is special because it's one of the few "Pratt through truss" bridges still standing in Vermont. Many bridges were destroyed during the huge Great Vermont Flood of 1927. This flood caused a lot of damage across the state.
The Railroad Street Bridge is also wider than most bridges built after that big flood. This makes it quite unique.
History of the Crossing
People have been crossing the river at this spot for a long time. Records show bridges here since 1859. This crossing became very important after 1876. That's when the railroad came to Johnson. The railroad helped create a small industrial area nearby.
The bridge that was here before 1928 was a covered bridge. We don't know exactly when that covered bridge was built. But it was washed away during the 1927 flood. The current bridge was repaired and updated in 2006.
