Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Great Eddy Bridge
The Great Eddy Bridge in Waitsfield is one of those bridges that has accumulated a number of names over its long life. The name I listed it under on this web site is how it is known in the National Register of Historic Places and thus its "official" name. This name comes from the fact that a large eddy is created in the Mad River at this location due to the underlying bedrock the river flows over. The same reason applies to one of its other names: Big Eddy.
However, the locals just call it the Village Bridge, as do signs on each portal, and this seems to be the most common usage. A plaque installed inside the bridge also declares it to be the Waitsfield Village Bridge. Both names, of course, stem from the fact that it is located right in the middle of beautiful Waitsfield Village.
Current Status: Open
Location: Waitsfield, on Bridge Street
Crosses: Mad River
GPS: 44.189375N, 72.823481W
Built: 1833 Length: 107 feet
Truss Design: Burr arch
WGN*: VT-12-04 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
Because historical records on all of Vermont's covered bridges can be incomplete, there is still some debate or question as to the age of some of the state's bridges. At one time, the Pulp Mill Bridge in Middlebury was considered the oldest in the state (and some still argue the point), but there has been some convincing evidence brought to bear that the build date was not as originally thought. If this is truly the case (and we may never know for certain), then the build date of 1833 for Waitsfield's village bridge now makes it the oldest covered bridge in Vermont.
It seems unfair to categorize one covered bridge as more special than another, but considering the Great Eddy Bridge's age and the fact that it is one of the busier bridges in the state (receiving almost constant traffic), it has truly served its purpose with grace and longevity. Of course, this hasn't come without cost as periodic repairs and renovations have occurred, but the bridge still remains largely as built almost 200 years ago. The only major change has been the walkway. The walkway was a feature originally included with the bridge when built but subsequently was removed, then re-added, then removed again. And then re-added.
On August 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused major flooding in the state, and Waitsfield was one of the harder hit towns. Several businesses in the village were flooded and a photography studio located just north of the bridge was torn from its foundations. The bridge itself was threatened, but survived with a few scrapes. Siding on the upstream side was damaged by objects floating in the swollen river striking the bridge. It was closed to inspect for any possible structural damage, but was reopened only a few days later.
In 2015, Bridge Street in the village was closed for extensive storm drain work and improvements to a retaining wall. This provided a great opportunity to perform repairs on the bridge including replacing the deck and siding. But the greatest change was the removal (once again) of the covered walkway which was stressing the bridge. The walkway is now a separately self-supporting modern structure detached from the bridge (although the continuous roof makes it look like part of the bridge still).
Visiting the bridge:
The Great Eddy bridge is easy to find and get to, being in the middle of a small, but bustling, village. Before the Bridge Street work was conducted, parking at the bridge was tough. Now there is parking on both sides of the street and hopefully you can find a space not too far away. The village is quintessential Vermont and without being overtly touristy, you'll be likely to find a nice souvenir of your visit.
During the summer, it would be unusual if you didn't find people swimming under the bridge on sunny days. There are even small beaches for people to relax on.
If you are in this area for the purposes of visiting covered bridges specifically, then I have a suggestion, especially if on a motorcycle. Nearby is the Warren Covered Bridge, which you will no doubt also want to visit. Use your favorite mapping program or GPS to plot you a path south through the Great Eddy Bridge via Bridge Street (which becomes East Warren Road), then Brook Road and finally onto Main Street in Warren village. While longer in distance than traveling down Route 100, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views and many picturesque farms, including a round barn and a winery. While the pavement on the Waitsfield side of this route is fine, the Warren side was repaved in 2017 and in great shape. There are many nice turns, hills, and curvy hills - especially as you descend into Warren Village.