Sanborn Covered Bridge Project Update

Here is the most recent report on the status of the Sanborn Covered Bridge from the August 24, 2022 edition of the Caledonian Record newspaper.

Northern Borders Awards $350K To Sanborn Bridge Project

Paul Hayes phayes@littletonrecord.com Staff Writer
Aug 24, 2022 Updated Aug 24, 2022

LYNDON — Efforts to create a Sanborn Covered Bridge Riverfront Park got a huge boost on Wednesday.

The Northern Borders Regional Commission awarded $350,000 to re-frame and re-truss the historic bridge, which is located along Main Street.

It will be the biggest funding source for the project, which has gained significant momentum in recent months.

“This is a huge award,” said Planning Administrator Nicole Gratton. “Three-hundred and fifty thousand is big funding for anywhere, but for Lyndon it is massive.”

NBRC funded 14 of 22 applications in Vermont, reflecting growing confidence in the Sanborn Covered Bridge Waterfront Park initiative.

“We could easily have been one of the ones that weren’t funded. But this project has legs. It will be a showcase piece for what rural Vermont has to offer,” Gratton said. “For NBRC to stand behind it, it speaks loudly that this project is sound.”

The town has now secured $754,000 for project development, a grant application to the Vermont Community Foundation is pending, and additional grant applications will be submitted later this year to the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, USDA Community Facilities Grant Program, and Vermont Historic Preservation Grant Program.

Meanwhile, the plan continues to take shape.

Conceptual drawings for a two-acre riverfront park were shown to the Select Board in June. They feature pedestrian paths and seating, open lawns and shade trees, a sculpture, pavilions with educational signage, and kayak/canoe access to the Passumpsic River.