Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Silk Bridge
 September 2015 |  September 2015 |
|---|---|
 September 2015 |  September 2015 |
The Silk Bridge (or Silk Road Bridge) is one of three "sister" bridges in Bennington along with the Bennington Falls and Henry Bridges. The road and the bridge were named for the Silk family that lived nearby, not because of any kind of silk manufacturing.
It was originally known as the Robinson Bridge, but I haven't found any reason as to why it was so-named. Probably for an adjacent landowner. Other names it has been known by (the origins of which I also do not know) are Locust Grove and Ranch Covered Bridge.
Current Status: Open
Location: Bennington, on Silk Road
Crosses: Walloomsuc River
GPS: 42.909398N, 73.225349W
Built: 1840 Length: 88 feet
Truss Design: Town lattice
WGN*: VT-02-04 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
One of my sources for information lists this bridge as World Guide Number VT-02-04#2, the "#2" meaning that it is the second bridge on this site (see for example, Bennington Falls and Henry). It is true that the bridge received extensive restoration in 1991, but from my research thus far, I have not been able to find any evidence that enough of the bridge was replaced to consider it "new". The "rule of thumb" is that if more than 50% of the original timber truss and floor supports are replaced, it is no longer considered the "same" bridge. From a Vermont Agency of Transportation report on the restoration: "Great care was taken to repair and/or salvage existing members wherever possible." Of course, that doesn't say just how much was salvaged.
Visiting the bridge:
The Silk Bridge, like the other two Bennington bridges is close to an urban area. It is a stone's throw from (but thankfully shielded from view by trees): a Home Depot, Hampton Inn hotel, a supermarket and other businesses. While there was no constant flow of traffic on the paved back road, it was not completely quiet either.
There is no official parking at the bridge, but there are a couple of turn outs on either side of the road on the north side of the bridge. Tropical Storm Irene reportedly washed out the northern approach to the bridge, but I didn't notice any obvious evidence other than the pavement on that side of the bridge is newer.
The bridge itself is fairly narrow like its two nearby relatives, so use caution when walking across it.