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Root Road Covered Bridge facts for kids

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Root Road Bridge
Root Road (Ashtabula County, Ohio) Covered Bridge 1.jpg
Coordinates 41°50′00″N 80°37′12″W / 41.83333°N 80.62000°W / 41.83333; -80.62000
Locale Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States
Characteristics
Design single span, Town truss
Total length 112 feet (34.1 m)
History
Construction begin 1868
Root Road Covered Bridge Dot Map.png
Location of the bridge in Ashtabula County
Map of Ohio highlighting Ashtabula County.svg
Location of Ashtabula County in Ohio

The Root Road Bridge is a special kind of bridge called a covered bridge. It crosses the west branch of the Ashtabula River in Monroe Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, in the United States. This bridge is one of 16 covered bridges you can still drive across in Ashtabula County! It uses a unique design called a Town truss.

During its renovation in 1982-83, the bridge was lifted about 18 inches (45 cm) higher. A new support pier was also added in the middle to make it stronger. The bridge's special identification number, given by the World Guide to Covered Bridges, is 35-04-09. You can find it about 6.3 miles (10.1 km) southeast of North Kingsville, Ohio.

History of the Root Road Bridge

The Root Road Bridge was first built in 1868. Many years later, in 1982 and 1983, the bridge got a big update. During this renovation, workers lifted the bridge about 18 inches (45 cm) higher. They also added a new support pier in the middle to make it stronger.

Just east of the bridge, there used to be a road where people had to pay a fee to use it. This was called a toll road. It ran north and south through the county. John H. Whitlam was one of the first people in charge of roads in Ashtabula County. He worked as the Superintendent of Roads for twenty-five years. It is possible he helped build some of the early bridges in the area.

Bridge Measurements

Here are some interesting facts about the size of the Root Road Bridge:

  • Span: The main part of the bridge that goes over the river is 82 feet 4 inches (25.1 meters) long.
  • Total Length: The entire bridge measures 112 feet (34.1 meters) from one end to the other.
  • Width: The bridge is 11.3 feet (3.4 meters) wide, which is enough for cars to pass.
  • Height: The total height of the bridge is 10 feet 2 inches (3.1 meters).
  • Overhead Clearance: If you are driving a tall vehicle, the space under the bridge's roof is 9 feet 4 inches (2.8 meters).

Gallery

  • Root Road Covered Bridge May 2015 - panoramio
  • Root Road Covered Bridge May 2015 - panoramio (2)
  • Root Road Covered Bridge May 2015 - panoramio (1)
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Root Road Covered Bridge Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.