Hartland Covered Bridge | |
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![]() Hartland Covered Bridge, from the Somerville side looking back toward Hartland. | |
Coordinates | 46°17′48″N 67°31′49″W / 46.29667°N 67.53028°W |
Carries | Hartland Bridge Hill Road |
Crosses | Saint John River |
Locale | Hartland-Somerville, New Brunswick, Canada |
Characteristics | |
Design | Howe truss covered bridge[1] |
Material | Concrete (piers) wood (truss)[1] |
Total length | 1,282 feet (391 m) |
No. of spans | 7 |
Piers in water | 5 |
Load limit | 10 tonnes (regularly) 3 tonnes (since December 2023) |
History | |
Construction start | December 1899 |
Construction end | June 1901 |
Construction cost | $33,000 |
Opened | May 14, 1901 |
Inaugurated | July 4, 1901 |
Replaces | Hartland ferry, Ice bridge |
Official name | Hartland Covered Bridge National Historic Site of Canada |
Designated | November 17, 1977 |
Type | Provincial Heritage Place |
Designated | September 15, 1999 |
Location | |
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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.