Melrose Road Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Melrose Road Bridge
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | End of Melrose Rd. over Scantic River, East Windsor, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1888 |
| Built by | Berlin Iron Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Lenticular pony truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000922 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1999 |
The Melrose Road Bridge is a historic bridge located at the western end of Melrose Road in East Windsor, Connecticut. It was built in 1888. This bridge is special because it is one of the few "lenticular pony truss" bridges from the 1800s that still exist in Connecticut. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The bridge has been closed for many years. It is missing its floor (decking) and the beams that support it (stringers).
Contents
What is the Melrose Road Bridge Like?
The Melrose Road Bridge is found in a quiet, rural part of northeastern East Windsor. It sits at the end of Melrose Road, where it would normally cross the Scantic River. This part of the river is now part of Scantic River State Park.
How is the Bridge Built?
The bridge is made of a special type of metal called wrought iron. It has a unique shape called a lenticular truss. A truss is a framework of beams that supports a bridge. The bridge stretches across the river. It rests on strong stone supports called abutments. These abutments are made of brownstone.
The parts of the truss are connected using pins. This design helps the bridge be very strong. The bridge is about 63 feet (19 meters) long. It is also about 13 feet (4 meters) wide. If it were fixed, it could carry one lane of traffic.
Why Can't You Cross the Bridge Now?
Metal guardrails have been welded across both ends of the bridge. This is to stop people from going onto it. The bridge does not have a floor or "decking." This means you cannot walk or drive across it.
History of the Melrose Road Bridge
The bridge's metal truss was built in 1888. It was made by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company. This company was a very important builder of iron bridges in New England during the late 1800s.
Who Paid for the Bridge?
The town bought the truss for $750. A local builder named George Phelps put the bridge together and set it up. He was paid $1484 for his work. Other workers received $484.
Why is This Bridge Important?
When the bridge was added to the National Register in 1999, it was one of only 15 lenticular trusses left in Connecticut. This shows how rare and important this type of bridge design is today.
