Ottauquechee River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ottauquechee River Bridge
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The replacement steel girder bridge, 2014
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 Location in Vermont
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| Location | US 5 over the Ottauquechee R., Hartland, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architectural style | Warren deck truss bridge |
| MPS | Metal Truss, Masonry, and Concrete Bridges in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001491 |
| Added to NRHP | October 11, 1990 |
The Ottauquechee River Bridge is a modern steel bridge in Hartland, Vermont. It carries United States Route 5 over the Ottauquechee River. This bridge replaced an older, historic bridge built around 1930. The original bridge was very important. It was built after a huge flood in Vermont in 1927. This older bridge was even listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Where is the Ottauquechee River Bridge?
This bridge is in a quiet, countryside part of northern Hartland. It crosses the Ottauquechee River. The bridge is just a short distance downstream from the North Hartland Dam. United States Route 5 is a main road in the area. It helps people travel along the Connecticut River. Another big highway, Interstate 91, runs nearby to the east.
The Historic 1930 Bridge
The original bridge, built in 1930, was quite special. It had four main sections. These sections rested on strong concrete supports called piers and abutments. The piers had a rough, textured look and rounded ends. The pier furthest north even had an arch built into it.
The old bridge was about 274 feet (83.5 meters) long. It had three smaller sections made of steel I-beams. The main part of the bridge was a special type called a Warren truss. This section was 120 feet (36.5 meters) long. The bridge also had a decorative metal railing.
This bridge was one of about 1,600 bridges built by the state. They were all constructed after the terrible 1927 floods. It was also quite rare. Only four bridges of its kind, called Warren deck truss structures, were built at that time. In 1990, when the bridge was added to the National Register, there was another very similar bridge. That one was in Bethel, Vermont, crossing a branch of the White River.
