Picture Vernon: Troubled Bridge Over Historic Waters

VERNON, CT — The latest Installment of the Picture Vernon series takes us to an almost-last look at an historic bridge in its original form.

The bridge over the Tankerhoosen River on Main Street in the Talcottville section of town is one of the most historic structures in one of Vernon's most historic areas. Work has started on its replacement, but the trusses will be preserved, town officials said.

The main photo shows the view through the trees of the waterfall and bridge.

The photo below shows it in 1891:

The historic 58-foot long elliptical truss bridge was constructed in 1891 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company. According t0 Vernon Town Engineer David Smith, the Main Street bridge is an example of what was once a common design when replacing wooden bridges. Vernon's is one of just a few Berlin Iron bridges still bring used, he said.

Preserving the bridge was important because it serves an historic section of Vernon, Smith said.

The original stonework will also be preserved and the old iron work will be cleaned and painted. A single traffic lane and an area for pedestrians are included in the new bridge.

The project cost is $1.7 million with 80 percent covered by the the federal Local Bridge Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The remaining 20 percent is being picked up by the town of Vernon.

The project is scheduled to be completed in mid-October.