Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Lower Cox Brook Bridge
Current Status: Open
Location: Northfield, on Cox Brook Road
Crosses: Cox Brook
GPS: 44.172765N, 72.652988W
Built: 1872 Length: 56.5 feet
Truss Design: Queenpost
WGN*: VT-12-10 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
Located in the village of Northfield Falls, within the town of Northfield, the Lower Cox Brook Bridge is one of three covered bridges within half a mile of each other... all on the same road. The official name of the bridge is kind of a mouthful (and maybe prone to make a pre-teen giggle), so many times it is known simply as the Lower Bridge (being the more downstream bridge of the two that span Cox Brook).
The Lower Bridge is the second of the three covered bridges on Cox Brook Road, so it is also known as the Second Bridge or Middle Bridge. Records also indicate another name of Newell Bridge applied, but where that name came from is unknown. Most likely another case where a nearby resident's last name was used.
This queenpost truss bridge has done very well over the years with no major repairs needed. In 1960, steel beams were added underneath the deck, and the floor was separated from the trusses as has been done for other bridges in the state that see a lot of traffic. The steel-work underneath also helps support the trusses, relieving some of the burden of supporting the weight of the covering.
Being able to get underneath the bridge to see just how this was implemented is problematic. There are steep banks down to the bridge on all sides, and it's all private property as well. One possibility (which I have not tried), is to get down to Cox Brook via the nearby railroad bridge, or from below the Northfield Falls (Station) Bridge, and follow the brook upstream to this bridge. Much simpler though, is probably to go underneath the Upper Cox Brook Bridge (which is easy) and see how it was done there. I would bet that it is very similar if not identical.
Visiting the bridge:
Since there are three bridges to report on in this area, a little repetition is going to be evident... my apologies in advance.
Cox Brook Road is paved, so getting to the bridges is easy. There is no established parking directly adjacent to the Lower Bridge. Use the small parking area at the Northfield Falls Bridge. If you are a motorcyclist, and are trying to get your bike in the shot (as I have been with all my visits), then you can park in a wide spot just past the railroad tracks at the intersection with Chandler Road. That's about as close as you are going to get while still being safe and respectful of the residents.
With the location of these bridges being in a village, there is fairly frequent traffic here. Not to mention folks like yourselves visiting the bridges. While the bridge is fairly wide, you will need to be extra aware of vehicles using the bridge. The posted speed limit of 25 MPH wasn't being adhered to by some of the drivers that passed through.
This is one of two places in Vermont where one covered bridge can be seen from another. And if it weren't for trees, you'd be able to see the Upper Cox Brook Bridge as well. Some outdated reference guides may claim this to be the only place. But since 2001 you can also see two covered bridges in line with each other in North Hartland where the previously destroyed Willard Twin Bridge was reconstructed right next to the Willard Bridge.