Browns River Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Browns River Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 44°36′45″N 73°00′29″W / 44.61250°N 73.00806°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian (closed to motor traffic) |
| Crosses | Browns River |
| Locale | Westford, Vermont |
| Maintained by | Town of Westford |
| ID number | VT-04-05 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Covered, Burr arch |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 97 ft (30 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | unknown |
| Construction end | 1838 |
The Browns River Covered Bridge, also known as the Westford Covered Bridge, is a special type of bridge called a covered bridge. It crosses the Browns River in Westford, Vermont. This historic bridge was built way back in 1838 and is a great example of old-time engineering.
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A Look at the Bridge's Design
The Browns River Covered Bridge uses a design called a Burr arch. This means it has strong wooden arches that help support the bridge's weight, making it very sturdy. The person who built this particular bridge is not known, but their work has lasted for a very long time! The bridge is made entirely of wood and is about 97 feet (29.6 meters) long.
Saving a Piece of History
Why the Bridge Needed Help
For many years, the Browns River Covered Bridge was used by cars and trucks. But by the 1960s, it was getting old and wasn't safe for heavy traffic anymore. So, a new concrete bridge was built next to it, and the old covered bridge was closed to vehicles.
Community Efforts to Restore the Bridge
Even after being closed to cars, the bridge still needed a lot of care. In 1976, some people from the Vermont Naval Reserve and volunteers from the town worked together to fix parts of it. However, the bridge was in such bad shape that it eventually had to be closed even to people walking across it.
A Big Restoration Project
In 1987, a company called Graton Associates was hired to give the bridge a full makeover. This was a huge project to make sure the bridge would be safe and last for many more years. A film crew from National Geographic even came to record the work! They were making a story about Milton Graton, who was famous for restoring old bridges.
The Bridge Today
The Browns River Covered Bridge was officially opened again in 2001 after all the repairs were finished. Even though it's been fixed up, it's still only open to people walking or biking. Cars and trucks still use the newer concrete bridge next to it. The story of its preservation is quite interesting and you can learn more about it here: The Browns River Bridge - a Covered Bridge Preservation Story.
