Great Eddy Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Eddy Covered Bridge |
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| Carries | Automobile |
| Crosses | Mad River |
| Locale | Waitsfield, Vermont |
| Maintained by | Town of Waitsfield |
| ID number | VT-12-14 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Covered, Burr arch |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 107.25 ft (32.7 m) |
| Width | 16.1 ft (4.9 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| Load limit | 3 tons |
| Clearance above | 9.5 ft (2.9 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | unknown |
| Construction end | 1833 |
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Area | 1 acre (0.4 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000261 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1974 |
The Great Eddy Covered Bridge, also known as the Big Eddy Covered Bridge or Waitsfield Covered Bridge, is a special wooden bridge in Waitsfield, Vermont. It crosses the Mad River on Bridge Street. Built way back in 1833, it's one of the oldest covered bridges in all of Vermont! Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
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About the Great Eddy Covered Bridge
The Great Eddy Covered Bridge is located just east of Waitsfield's town center. It stretches across the Mad River, running roughly north to south. This bridge is 105 feet (32 m) long and has a special design called a Burr truss.
What is a Covered Bridge?
A covered bridge is a bridge with walls and a roof, just like a house. The roof and sides protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and snow. This helps the bridge last much longer. The Great Eddy Covered Bridge uses a design called a Burr arch truss. This design uses both a strong wooden frame (the truss) and a large arch to make the bridge extra sturdy.
Unique Features of the Bridge
The Great Eddy Covered Bridge is very old, built in 1833. It might be the second-oldest covered bridge in Vermont. It is also the longest bridge in Vermont that uses a single Burr truss design. The bridge has a metal roof. On its east side, there is a walkway that was added in 1940. This walkway allows people to cross the bridge safely on foot.
History and Repairs of the Bridge
The Great Eddy Covered Bridge has been used for a long time, so it has needed many repairs. Over the years, repairs were made in 1973, 1989, 1992, and 2001 to keep it safe for traffic.
Surviving Hurricane Irene
In 2011, Hurricane Irene brought very heavy rain to Vermont. The Mad River swelled and caused a lot of flooding in Waitsfield. On August 28, the floodwaters rose so high that they touched the bottom of the bridge. Even though the water was very strong and lifted nearby buildings, the Great Eddy Covered Bridge survived the storm! However, it was closed for a while because its supports were damaged.
Safety and the Bridge
The bridge was closed for more repairs in the spring of 2015. It reopened on November 12, 2016. A sign was put up on the bridge in 2016. This sign warns people not to jump or dive off the bridge because it can be dangerous. The river section directly below the bridge is about twelve feet deep. The bridge is also sometimes called the Village covered bridge because it is right in the center of Waitsfield. Most covered bridges are usually found in more remote areas.
