Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Northfield Falls Bridge
 November 2008 |  August 2014 |
|---|---|
 August 2014 |  August 2014 |
The Northfield Falls Bridge is named for where it is located... a village within the town of Northfield. Its proximity to the Northfield train station has also give this bridge the name of the "Station Bridge" which appears to be the more popular (although not official) name.
The bridge is currently in very good shape, owed to in part by some strengthening that was employed in 1963. Concerns over the bridge's ability to handle modern traffic led to the installation of steel beams beneath the bridge supported by an added concrete center pier.
Current Status: Open
Location: Northfield, on Cox Brook Road
Crosses: Dog River
GPS: 44.1726277N, 72.65439W
Built: 1872 Length: 137 feet
Truss Design: Town lattice
WGN*: VT-12-08 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
One of three covered bridges located on the same road, it differs from the other two in design. The longer span required the use of the Town lattice truss which can support longer bridges than the queenpost trusses used in the nearby Lower Cox Brook and Upper Cox Brook bridges.
Visiting the bridge:
This bridge is easily found just off Route 12 in Northfield Falls. If coming from Route 12, you might be tempted to park in the large area before crossing the bridge, however, this has been marked as parking for customers of the nearby store only. Proceed through the bridge and you'll find a smaller (but sufficient) parking area on the left.
If the river is not running too high, take the time to travel down to the river's edge on the western side. From there, you can view the underside of the bridge and the beams that were installed.
Here, you will also find Cox Brook emptying out into the Dog River. If adventurous, follow Cox Brook upstream and you will find huge granite blocks that were displaced presumably by flood waters from Tropical Storm Irene. The source of the blocks is just upstream: the abutments of a railroad trestle.