Pulp Mill Covered Bridge
Middlebury, VT
WGN Number: 45-01-04
Photo by Joe Nelson © 1997
The Pulp Mill Bridge is one of the oldest covered brides in Vermont, but its exact date of construction is unknown. Found to be safe by the covered bridge inspection team, the span will continue to serve the Middlebury area for many years to come. This is one of the few remaining "double-barrel" covered bridges in Vermont
Due to its long life and constant traffic, many repairs have been needed over the years. The Covered Spans of Yesteryear website provides a concise historical time line: "Around 1860, the timber arches were removed and laminated arches with iron rod hangers substituted, changing it from a Burr arch to a multiple Kingpost with Burr arch bridge. During the 1979-80 renovation, the arches were modified and two sets of timber cribs on masonry piers were added under roadway providing additional support at equal thirds of the bridge. In 1990, through a grant provided to the Town of Weybridge, an uncovered pedestrian walkway was added to the span. In 2002 the bridge was again repaired at a cost of $103,000.00. Repairs included repairing the center truss and replacing part of a lower chord. The bridge was restored during 2012."
The VCBS archives provide quite a bit of detail of the repairs and restorations of the Pulp Mill bridge. The 2002 repairs were done by Jan Lewandoski.
The 2012 bridge restoration was done by Alpine Construction from Schuylerville, New York. Here are some highlights of the extensive work that was done.
- Steel beams were installed to stabilize and lift the bridge during the work.¹
- All the bottom chords were replaced.¹
- Work done on the posts, sleeper beams, top chords, and arches.¹
- Sub-decking²
- Roof work and installed a new standing seam metal roof.²
Notes:
Our thanks to the Town of Middlebury for allowing the posting of the Vermont Covered Bridge Society Welcome patch. For more information about the Middlebury area visit their website at www.townofmiddlebury.org.
Pulp Mill Covered Bridge Vital Statistics
| Town: | Middlebury-Weybridge |
| Location: | Pulp Mill Bridge Road |
| Crossing: | Otter Creek |
| Date: | 1820 |
| Builder: | Unknown |
| Truss Type: | Multiple King with Burr arch |
| Truss Length: | 199 feet |
| Other Names: | Paper Mill |
| National Register of Historical Places Listing Date: | September 10, 1974 |
| Date Rehabilitated: | 2012 |
| Renovation Contractor: | Alpine Construction Schuylerville, New York |
Credits: All pictures, information and descriptions are taken from Spanning Time Vermont's Covered Bridges by Joseph C. Nelson ©1997 and the World Guide to Covered Bridges - 2009 unless otherwise specified.
