Middlesex–Winooski River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Middlesex–Winooski River Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location |  US 2 over the Winooski River, Middlesex, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | American Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Pratt through truss bridge |
| MPS | Metal Truss, Masonry, and Concrete Bridges in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001610 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1991 |
The Middlesex–Winooski River Bridge is an important bridge in Vermont. It carries U.S. Route 2 across the Winooski River. This bridge connects the towns of Moretown and Middlesex, Vermont. The current bridge was built in 2010. It replaced an older, historic bridge from 1928. The old bridge was so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Where is the bridge?
The Middlesex–Winooski River Bridge is located near the village of Middlesex. It crosses the Winooski River in a flat area called a floodplain. The river flows north at this spot. It then heads northwest towards Burlington and Lake Champlain. The bridge is built at a slight angle. It rests on strong concrete supports.
The Old Bridge: A Story of Floods and Rebuilding
The original bridge was built in 1928. It was a very strong type of bridge called a Pratt through truss. This design uses a lot of steel beams to create a sturdy structure. The old bridge had two long sections, each about 120 feet (36.5 meters) long. It also had a shorter section at the north end.
The American Bridge Company built the steel parts for this bridge. It was finished in 1928. This was a very important time for bridge building in Vermont. In 1927, a huge flood hit the Winooski River area. It was one of the worst floods in the state's history. Many bridges, for both cars and trains, were washed away or badly damaged.
This flood cut off Middlesex village from other towns. U.S. Route 2 was the main road connecting Burlington and Montpelier. Because of the damage, Vermont started a big project to rebuild more than 1,200 bridges very quickly. The 1928 Middlesex–Winooski River Bridge was a key part of this effort. It helped reconnect communities after the devastating flood.
