Quechee Gorge Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Quechee Gorge Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
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| Location |  US 4 over Quechee Gorge, Hartford, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built by | American Bridge Co.; Storrs, John W. |
| Architectural style | Metal deck truss bridge |
| MPS | Metal Truss, Masonry, and Concrete Bridges in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001490 |
| Added to NRHP | October 11, 1990 |
The Quechee Gorge Bridge is a really old and important bridge in Vermont. It carries a road called U.S. Route 4 right over the amazing Quechee Gorge. This gorge is a big, deep valley near the village of Quechee in Hartford, Vermont. The bridge was built way back in 1911. It's special because it's the oldest steel arch bridge still standing in Vermont! Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About the Quechee Gorge Bridge
The Quechee Gorge Bridge is found on US 4. It's about halfway between the towns of Woodstock and White River Junction, Vermont. The bridge sits very high above the Ottauquechee River. It's near the southern end of Quechee Gorge. This gorge is a super popular spot for tourists. It's also part of Quechee State Park.
What the Bridge Looks Like
This bridge is made of steel and has three main sections. It is about 285 feet (87 meters) long. It's also about 41 feet (12 meters) wide. The bridge stands an amazing 163 feet (50 meters) high! It has two lanes for cars, one going in each direction. There are also sidewalks on both sides for people to walk on.
The main part of the bridge is a big, curved arch. This arch is called a "parabolic spandrel-braced Pratt truss." It spans about 188 feet (57 meters) across the gorge. The arch rests on strong concrete bases. These bases are near the old stone walls of an even older bridge. The bridge is built from many steel parts. These parts are joined together using strong metal pins called rivets. The road part of the bridge is made of steel beams covered with concrete.
How the Bridge Was Built
The Quechee Gorge Bridge was built in 1911. The steel parts were made by a company called the American Bridge Company. The bridge was designed by John W. Storrs. He was a very busy and talented bridge engineer in the area.
This bridge was first built for trains to cross. But in 1933, it was changed to be a highway bridge for cars. The road surface you see today is from that time. Building the arch was a clever process. Workers likely built the ends of the arch out over the gorge. They used strong cables to hold them up. Then, the two ends were joined together in the middle.
This bridge is very important in Vermont. It is the oldest steel arch bridge that is still in use. It's also the only one of its kind in Vermont that uses a special "spandrel-braced" design.
