Saugatuck River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saugatuck River Bridge |
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Saugatuck River Bridge
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| Coordinates | 41°7′22″N 73°22′10″W / 41.12278°N 73.36944°W |
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Saugatuck River Bridge
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Union Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Pin-connected swing bridge |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000126 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1987 |
| Carries |  Route 136 |
| Crosses | Saugatuck River |
| Locale | Westport, Connecticut |
| Official name | Bridge No. 1349 |
| Maintained by | Connecticut Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Wrought-iron swing truss |
| Total length | 289 feet (88 m) |
| History | |
| Construction end | 1884 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 15,700 |
The Saugatuck River Bridge is a special bridge in Westport, Connecticut. It carries Route 136 over the Saugatuck River. This bridge was built in 1884. It is the oldest movable bridge still standing in Connecticut. A movable bridge can open or move to let boats pass underneath. Because it is so old and important, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. About 16,000 cars drive over this bridge every day. In 2007, it was also named the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge. The bridge is about 87.5 meters (289 feet) long.
Contents
A Bridge Through Time
For many years, people needed a way to cross the Saugatuck River in Westport.
Early Crossings
- In 1746, a ferry started carrying people and goods across the river. A ferry is a boat that takes vehicles and people short distances.
- Around 1807, the first bridge was built. It was part of an old road called the Connecticut Turnpike. A turnpike was a main road where people often paid a fee to use it.
Building New Bridges
- By 1857, the first bridge needed to be replaced.
- In 1869, the town spent $22,500 to build a new wooden bridge.
- But this wooden bridge did not last long. Tiny sea creatures called shipworms damaged the wood. After only ten years, the bridge was almost unusable.
- So, Westport had to build another bridge.
The Current Bridge
- Five years later, in 1884, the town hired the Union Bridge Company from Buffalo, New York.
- They built the bridge we see today. It is made of wrought iron, which is a very strong type of iron.
- The new bridge cost $26,700. It also cost $362 to remove the old, damaged wooden bridge.
- This bridge is special because it is the oldest movable bridge still working in Connecticut.
How the Bridge Works
The Saugatuck River Bridge was designed to let boats pass easily. This was very important for the local economy back then. Boats could travel up and down the river, bringing goods.
Movable Design
- The bridge has two main parts.
- One part is a fixed section on the eastern side, about 144 feet (44 meters) long. It does not move.
- The other part is a movable span. This part can swing open.
- Originally, this movable section was opened by hand using a crank.
- Both parts of the bridge are made of wrought iron. They use a design called a "pin-connected Pratt through truss." This design makes the bridge very strong.
Why the Bridge is Important
The Saugatuck River Bridge is more than just a way to cross the river. It is a piece of history.
Historic Landmark
- On February 12, 1987, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
- It is a rare example of an early movable iron bridge.
- The bridge spans were designed by Charles Kellogg and his son Charles H. Kellogg. They were important engineers from the Union Bridge Company.
Town History
- The bridge also shows how important water travel was to Westport in the 1800s.
- Because boats needed to pass, the town spent extra money and effort to build a bridge that could open. This helped the town's businesses that relied on the river.
