Hartland Covered Bridge

Hartland Covered Bridge
Hartland Covered Bridge, from the Somerville side looking back toward Hartland.
Coordinates46°17′48″N 67°31′49″W / 46.29667°N 67.53028°W / 46.29667; -67.53028
CarriesHartland Bridge Hill Road
CrossesSaint John River
LocaleHartland-Somerville, New Brunswick, Canada
Characteristics
DesignHowe truss covered bridge[1]
MaterialConcrete (piers)
wood (truss)[1]
Total length1,282 feet (391 m)
No. of spans7
Piers in water5
Load limit10 tonnes (regularly)
3 tonnes (since December 2023)
History
Construction startDecember 1899 (1899-12)
Construction endJune 1901 (1901-06)
Construction cost$33,000
OpenedMay 14, 1901 (1901-05-14)
InauguratedJuly 4, 1901 (1901-07-04)
ReplacesHartland ferry, Ice bridge
Official nameHartland Covered Bridge National Historic Site of Canada
DesignatedNovember 17, 1977 (1977-11-17)
TypeProvincial Heritage Place
DesignatedSeptember 15, 1999 (1999-09-15)
Location
Map

The Hartland Covered Bridge (French: Pont couvert de Hartland) or Hartland Bridge is the world's longest covered bridge at 1,282 feet (391 m) in length. Located in New Brunswick, Canada, the bridge crosses the Saint John River, joining the Carleton County communities of Hartland and Somerville. The framework consists of seven small Howe Truss bridges joined on six piers.[2] The bridge was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1977, and a Provincial Heritage Place in New Brunswick under the Heritage Conservation Act in 1999.

The Hartland Bridge originally opened in 1901 after planning and construction work dating back to around 1898, though its construction had been proposed and discussed earlier. It was initially uncovered and a toll bridge. The Hartland Covered Bridge became covered after it was rebuilt when it became structurally damaged by weather in early 1920. Today, it is used primarily as a tourist attraction, featuring only one lane as well as load and height limits.

  1. ^ a b Hartland Bridge at Structurae
  2. ^ Kennedy, Doris E. (2009). "Brief history". Hidden History of Hartland. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-9813773-0-8.