Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Union Village Bridge
Located just downstream of a flood control dam is the Union Village Covered Bridge. A hamlet within the town of Thetford, Union Village sees a fair amount of traffic.
Originally built in 1867, the bridge had seen some work done in the 1970s, but more recently in 2002 it underwent a complete restoration. During this work, the bridge was brought up to more modern traffic standards by the use of modern building materials, but in a way that maintains the integrity of the design.
Current Status: Open
Location: Thetford, on Academy Road
Crosses: Ompompanoosuc River
GPS: 43.788693N, 72.25412W
Built: 1867 Length: 118 feet
Truss Design: Multiple kingpost
WGN*: VT-09-05 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
The bridge needed to be able to handle modern fire equipment or risk long delays to reach homes in the area. Thus, the floor and floor beams were replaced with glue-laminated (glu-lam) timbers. Typically bridges that need extra support are fitted with steel beams underneath, but in this case long wooden glu-lam beams were used to add a little more authenticity. After all, if glu-lam technology existed back in the day, they probably would have been used due to their strength. I think it's a nice alternative to using ugly steel beams in an otherwise wooden structure.
In another nod to using modern technology in an unobtrusive way, the bridge has been fitted with interior lighting and a fire alarm system. I found the latter addition a little amusing as parked at the house on the west side of the bridge was a car that had a volunteer firefighter plate on the front.
The bridge also has three windows cut into each side, but they have been covered by a heavy gauge wire mesh. I suspect that this is to prevent adventurous youth from using the bridge as a jumping platform. The river below appeared to be very shallow, and leaping into it from that height could be dangerous.
Visiting the bridge:
Academy Road, which the bridge carries over the river, is paved so there is no problem reaching it by motorcycle. However, there is no real good parking there. On west side of the bridge is a wide three-way intersection, so you could probably get away with parking somewhat out of the way. On the east side there is a very small pull-off just before you cross the bridge.
The bridge is of average width for a covered bridge, but tends to be busy, so some extra caution may be warranted if you plan to cross it on foot to explore.
If you follow Main Street north from the bridge, you will shortly come to the Union Village Dam recreation area. But don't be alarmed to find no water behind the dam. It was not created to hold back the river to form a body of water, but is there only to control flash flooding situations.