Owner:
The Town of Bennington, Vermont

Client:
The Vermont Agency of Transportation

Engineering Firm:
McFarland-Johnson, Inc.
Binghamton, NY

Project Manager and Lead Project Engineer:
Phillip C. Pierce, P.E.
Treadwell, NY

Contractorr:
Blow & Cote, Inc.
Morrisville, VT

Project Description:

The existing Paper Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1889, had been closed since 1994 and was showing it's age and neglect. The assignment involved the in-depth evaluation of the 125-foot long bridge and preparation of contract plans for a major rehabilitation. The goal was to restore the capacity of the bridge so that it could be reopened to traffic.

Most of the members of the Town Lattice trusses had to be replaced. Sawn Southern Pine timber was used. The floor system was also replaced and had to resort to glue-laminated components to provide the desired 20-ton capacity. The overhead bracing and sway bracing systems were substantially improved.

Work was completed in 2000.