Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Warren Bridge
 June 2017 |  June 2017 |
|---|---|
 May 2011 |  June 2017 |
 May 2011 |  June 2017 |
Current Status: Open
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Location: Warren, on Covered Bridge Road
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Crosses: Mad River
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GPS: 44.111142N, 72.856981W
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Built: 1880 Length: 57.5 feet
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Truss Design: Queenpost
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WGN*: VT-12-15 NRHP**: Yes
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* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
The town of Warren, Vermont is another one of those picture post card towns with well-kept old buildings and charm that transcends time. Situated just outside the village center, the Warren Bridge crosses the Mad River upstream of a small dam and former mill.
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Signs on the portals read "Lincoln Gap" which has lent an alternate name to the bridge. Lincoln Gap is one of several east-west running roads that traverse the spine of the Green Mountians with many twists and turns that are adventurous and scenic to drive. This particular gap road begins in Warren a short ways from the bridge, across to Lincoln.
While this bridge has queenpost construction consistent with other queenpost bridges in the state, one difference is the addition of siding inside the bridge as well as outside. The reason for this is not quite clear, but it may be a throw-back to before builders decided to add roofs to bridges for protection.
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As seen in the photo to the right, early wooden bridges were sheathed on both the outside and inside to protect the trusses from rain and snow. Once roofs were installed, the extra cost of sheathing the inside wasn't necessary. It's actually a detriment in a way because completely covering the trusses inside and out hides them from casual inspection for potential problems.
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In 1998, the state inspected all of the bridges along the Mad River, and this one was determined to be fine. However, a flood later that year peeled off some of the exterior siding and exposed serious problems with rot.
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The bridge was closed and renovations carried out by Jan Lewandoski in 2000. Oddly (to me, anyway) the siding was replaced on the inside of the bridge. While that would seem to be consistent with the history of the bridge, it will only continue to hide potential future problems.
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In 2011, the Mad River Valley was hit hard by the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene. The Warren bridge was spared, but not without some damage to the western abutment and approach. The bridge was closed until repairs could be made, but there was apparently no damage to the bridge itself.
"Covered" kingpost bridge
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Source unknown
Warren Bridge post-Irene
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Lars Gange / Mansfield Heliflight
Visiting the bridge:
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Accessing the bridge is quite easy, as it is serviced on both sides by well-maintained paved roads. However, there is no official parking on either side. As can be surmised by the aerial photo above, and from using satellite imagery, both ends of the bridge open up to a wide triangular T-intersection. The eastern end (the left side in the photo above) opens onto the relatively busy Main Street. The western end opens onto more bucolic Covered Bridge Road, and it is here that you can find a spot to park without impeding traffic.
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If you have not already visited nearby Great Eddy Bridge, I recommend plotting a course on the back roads rather than bombing up Route 100, which can become a little backed up in the summer and during foliage season. This alternate route affords you a more leisurely and scenic drive.
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From the bridge, take Main Street through the village to Brook Road. Take Brook Road to East Warren where it becomes the East Warren Road. Continue on until it becomes Bridge Street in Waitsfield where you will come upon the Great Eddy Bridge from "the back way".