BATH BRIDGE
Bath, New Hampshire
- Location:
- West of U.S. Route 302 on Pettyboro Road in Bath over the Ammonoosuc River.
- Style of Bridge:
- Burr truss with supplemental arches
- Year of Construction:
- 1832
- Original Cost:
- Approximately $2,900
- Structural Characteristics:
- The bridge is 374'6" long and is made up of spans of 117'6",
66'6", 62'6", and 80'0". It has an overall width of 24'6", a
roadway width of 20'6", and has a maximum vertical clearance
of 11'9". It also features an enclosed sidewalk. The bridge
is posted as a one lane bridge for six tons, passenger cars only.
- Maintained By:
- Town of Bath
- World Guide Number:
- 29-05-03
- New Hampshire Number:
- 28
-
- Historical Remarks:
-
The current structure is the fifth bridge to stand on this site. The
first was constructed in 1794 at a cost of $366.66. That bridge
was demolished by a flood and replaced in 1806 at a cost of $1,000.
The second and third bridges were also destroyed by floods but
immediately replaced in 1820 and again in 1824. The fourth bridge
was destroyed by fire in late 1830. Rebuilding efforts began in
March 1831 when $1,400 was allotted to cover the construction
of two stone abutments and piers along with the purchase of
other materials. In March 1832, an additional $1,500 was allotted
to complete the construction. It appears that the fifth bridge was
completed by early 1832. When it was first built, the bridge had
hewn arches. New overlapping arches were added when the
bridge was raised over the railroad in 1920. At one time, there was
a sign posted at the bridge which prohibited riding horses across
the bridge at a trot. It was believed that the impact of trotting
horses could cause the structure to fall apart. The Bath Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Table of Contents
New Hampshire Bridges
New Hampshire Covered Bridges
Compiled and edited by
Richard G. Marshall
Chief System Planning
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
Color photographs by Arthur F. Rounds
1994