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Vermont Agency of Transportation
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Original Destroyed by Flood in March of 1999 |
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"They don't build 'em like they used to," the age-old adage laments. Or do they? Well, sometimes they do. On March 4th, 1999, when an ice jam muscled the Mill Bridge in Tunbridge, Vermont, off of its pilings, many residents felt that their beloved landscape was forever changed for the worse. Since it was built in 1883, this covered bridge had been a focal point of the Tunbridge community - and overnight it was gone. Some people choked back their tears in silence, and others cried openly at the loss of the landmark. And this truly was a loss, not just for Tunbridge, but for all of Vermont. With only about 100 covered bridges remaining in Vermont, they are an endangered species of sorts. The loss of just one covered bridge can affect the aesthetic and cultural character of the state as a whole. But sorrow turned to celebration in July 2000 when Tunbridge residents welcomed a new covered bridge to the very spot where the old Mill Bridge stood for 116 years. The original Mill Bridge was built in 1883 on the First Branch of the White River for the then-hefty sum of $523.32. It was constructed by Arthur Adams, a Tunbridge carpenter, using Tunbridge lumber milled at the Tunbridge sawmill located next to the bridge. The bridge was designed by James Tasker of Cornish, New Hampshire, famous for developing the multiple king-post truss. Tasker's multiple king-post truss bridges are a unique design found only in the Tunbridge region. In addition to his unusual bridge design, Tasker's remarkable personality contributed to the historical significance of the Mill Bridge. This master bridge designer had no formal education, and he could neither read nor write. James Tasker and Arthur Adams had made this bridge to last! According to Phillip C. Pierce, the consulting engineer who designed the replacement bridge, a wooden covered bridge can easily last about 100 years, in contrast to a modern cement and steel bridge which will only last about 50 years - if you are lucky. Well, luck ran out for the centenarian bridge in Tunbridge in the spring of 1999 when warm weather and heavy rains set loose phenomenal amounts of ice and water on the First Branch of the White River. The bridge usually had about ten feet of clearance above the river, but on Thursday, March 4, 1999, that breathing room rapidly disappeared. In the morning, people nervously watched as the water level rose. By noon there were reports of chunks of ice knocking at the bridge. It wasn't long before the massive blocks of ice were jostling and shaking the bridge on its pilings. Eventually, hundreds of tons of ice jammed the river under and around the historic structure. Local residents described the sound of the ice jam as being similar to that of a freight train. The incomprehensible force of the ice tore, lifted, twisted, and toppled the bridge from its pilings as it clogged the river. |
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By Friday, engineers and Tunbridge selectmen were desperately trying to devise a plan that would save the bridge. Hooks and chains were attached to the bridge in an effort to pull it back into place. But the forces of nature moved too fast for the doomed bridge to be saved. When the ice jam shifted, the bridge shattered and collapsed. The Mill Bridge was quickly transformed from a historic landmark to a gigantic pile of debris. This gave town officials something new to worry about. The Mill Bridge now threatened to cascade into the other historic covered bridges downstream as soon as the ice jam broke loose. And so, late Friday, March 5, 1999, what remained of the Mill Bridge was set ablaze to save the bridges below. |
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Not long after the smoke had cleared, the Tunbridge Selectmen voted to rebuild the historic treasure. A community board began discussions with the Vermont Agency of Transportation for funding of the project. On Monday, July 3, 2000, 16 months after the ice jam, the Mill Bridge was back. And not only was the new bridge built like the old one, but it was also installed the old-fashioned way. Four teams of oxen pulled the new covered bridge into place. Hundreds of people cheered as the 80-foot long, 50-ton bridge creaked and groaned into place against its abutments. Tunbridge's most famous resident, retired farmer, US Congressional candidate, actor, Vermont icon, and sage, Fred Tuttle reflects on the Mill Bridge saga. "The old Mill Bridge was one of the best bridges I've ever known...one of the most historic bridges in the state." And the new bridge? "Its a good idea," says Tuttle. The new bridge, funded by the Vermont Agency of Transportation and built by Daniels Construction, is nearly identical to its predecessor with two exceptions. First, the bridge can handle considerably more weight than the previous bridge. Second, the price tag for the new bridge reflects 116 years of inflation. At $230,000, the new bridge cost $229,476.68 more than the old covered bridge. Yet even with this ample price tag, this covered bridge is probably less expensive in the long run than a new cement and steel bridge. In Tunbridge, the locals are beaming with pride about their restored townscape. So the next time you hear somebody bemoan the fact that we are living in a disposable society that "just doesn't make 'em like they used to," tell them about the new Mill Bridge in Tunbridge, Vermont. Learn more about Vermont's Historic Bridges Vermont Historic Bridge Program Sources: The Herald of Randolph Valley News, Friday, March 5, 1999 The Times Argus, Tuesday, July 4, 2000 Article by Chris Slesar All photos courtesy of Scott Newman, VTrans Historic Preservation Officer |
