Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Lord's Creek Bridge
Current Status: Private
Location: Irasburg, off Covered Bridge Road
Crosses: Black River
GPS: 44.816556N, 72.266517W
Built: 1881 Length: 50 feet
Truss Design: Paddleford
WGN*: VT-10-01 NRHP**: not eligible
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
One of only three Paddleford truss bridges left in Vermont, the Lord's Creek Bridge gets its name from the waterway it used to cross. It has since been moved to private land in Irasburg, over the Black River, not far from the Orne Bridge. It is located on Covered Bridge Road, which used to be called Dump Road (you may see it as such on some maps).
In 1958 the abutment of this bridge where it was formerly located washed out. The State opted to remove the covered bridge and install a concrete and steel bridge.
The 50s and 60s seem to be a dark era for covered bridges in Vermont as rather than keep the bridge as a tourist attraction, or otherwise maintain possession of it, the State transferred it into private hands. We have already seen other examples of this (if you have been looking through this web site in the order the bridges are listed). In some cases, such as with the Cambridge Big Bridge, there are sufficient private funds to maintain the bridge. While I cannot speak to whether or not the current owner can afford to maintain this bridge, I would appear not enough money has been spent.
The bridge was given to farmer Joseph Labond who installed it in its present location to access farm lands. It was stripped of its siding at some point, allowing the weather to attack the exposed trusses. Additionally, the bridge was installed directly on top of the concrete abutments, rather than sacrificial bolster beams, and the ends of the chords have been rotting. The truss members hardly seem sufficiently large enough either, especially compared to the Orne Bridge, another Paddleford truss design.
Evidence of its sad state appear in the slide show above. Vines have taken over a large portion of one truss (which leads to moisture retention and rot). The bridge has had to be supported by steel beams on the floor tied to cross beams below. While not very attractive, I shared these photos because they very clearly show how over-the-deck supporting beams are employed.
Despite the seemingly impending failure of the bridge, it appears to have been used as the scene of a wedding when I visited in early August of 2013. A sign on the eastern portal read "Donna ♥ Jesse Wedding". The other portal read "Just Married June 15, 2013".
Visiting the bridge:
Covered Bridge Road is a back road to farmlands and is unpaved. The condition of it is pretty good however (at least the section of it from Route 58 to the bridge). Motorcyclists, you will have to travel just under 1 mile on the dirt. If you come in from the Route 5 side, you will be on 1.5 miles of dirt.
While the bridge was not cordoned off in any way, no "No Trespassing" signs posted, and there is evidence that it is still being used by the farm, I would not recommend driving on the bridge. At any rate, it is private, and you shouldn't anyway. But the condition of the bridge alone should cause you to think twice.
The only place to park is essentially right at the entrance to the bridge, but since it is not an active public way, you can probably go ahead and park there. If you do not want your car in your photos, you'll have to risk parking on the side of the road.