Mount Orne Covered Bridge

The Mount Orne Bridge is a covered bridge over the Connecticut River between Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Lunenburg, Vermont. It joins Elm Street (New Hampshire Route 135) in South Lancaster with River Road (Town Highway 1) in Lunenburg. Built in 1911, it is one of two Howe truss bridges across the Connecticut River. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1]

Mount Orne Bridge
Bridge in New Hampshire and Vermont
Coordinates44°28′N 71°39′W / 44.46°N 71.65°W / 44.46; -71.65
CrossesConnecticut River
LocaleLancaster, New Hampshire to Lunenburg, Vermont
Maintained byTowns of Lancaster and Lunenburg
ID number29-04-08 (NH #30)
Characteristics
DesignHowe truss bridge
Total length266.25 ft (81.15 m)
Width20.5 ft (6.25 m) (maximum), 14.42 ft (4.395 m) (roadway)
Longest span127.33 ft (38.81 m)
Load limit6 tons
Clearance above12.75 ft (3.89 m)
History
Opened1911
Closed
Mount Orne Covered Bridge
Mount Orne Covered Bridge is located in New Hampshire
Mount Orne Covered Bridge
Mount Orne Covered Bridge is located in the United States
Mount Orne Covered Bridge
LocationLancaster, New Hampshire & Lunenburg, Vermont
Coordinates44°27′36″N 71°39′10″W / 44.46000°N 71.65278°W / 44.46000; -71.65278
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
ArchitectBerlin Iron Bridge Co.
Architectural styleHowe truss covered bridge
NRHP reference No.76000124[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 12, 1976

Description and history

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The Mount Orne Covered Bridge is located in a rural area of eastern Lunenburg and southwestern Lancaster. It spans the Connecticut River in a roughly northwest-southeast orientation. It consists of two spans of wood-and-iron Howe trusses, resting on stone abutments and piers which have been partially faced in concrete. The overall length of the bridge is 267 feet (81 m), with the western span measuring 134 feet (41 m) and the eastern span one foot (0.30 m) less. The bridge has an overall width of 20.5 feet (6.2 m), with a roadway of 15.5 feet (4.7 m). The bridge is covered by a corrugated metal gable roof, and is sided in vertical boarding that extends only partway to the eaves. The siding extends around to the insides of the portals.[2]

The bridge was built in 1911 by the Berlin Construction Company, replacing one that was washed away by flooding in 1905. It is one of only two Howe truss bridges over the Connecticut River; the other, the Columbia Bridge, was built in 1912. The two bridges are among the last to be built during the historic period of covered bridge construction in either state. The costs of construction and maintenance are shared by the two towns.[2]

In 1983, the bridge temporarily closed on July 5 for repair work; it was reopened and rededicated on November 23.[3]

In November 2023, the bridge was closed (for an as yet undetermined amount of time) due to damage caused by an oversized vehicle driving through it.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "NRHP nomination for Mount Orne Covered Bridge". National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-10-25.
  3. ^ "Mt. Orne Bridge". NH.gov. New Hampshire Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  4. ^ Eisenstadter, Dave (November 12, 2023). "N.H. covered bridge closed until further notice after vehicle drives into it". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
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