Travel New England: Bissell Covered Bridge

Just off the historic Mohawk Trail along Massachusetts Route 8A in Charlemont is the Bissell Covered Bridge. A newer covered bridge that was rebuilt in 2007, the long truss bridge is the second covered bridge to cross Mill Brook. The first covered bridge was built in 1880 and crossed Mill Brook until it was condemned in the 1940s. Objecting to a modern bridge, the Town of Charlemont fought with the Commonwealth for a replacement covered bridge; and in 1951, a new covered bridge opened.

The now open Bissell Covered Bridge in May 2012. Part of the old temporary bridge landing has been turned into a viewing area.

In 1995, due to deterioration, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic and a temporary bridge was built next to it. Yet again, the citizens of Charlemont fought with the Commonwealth on a replacement for the bridge. The local residents won again; and in 2007, a full rehabilitation project started. In 2009, the rehabilitated Bissell Covered Bridge reopened to vehicular traffic. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

The Bissell Covered Bridge was closed to traffic from 1995 to 2009. The temporary bridge over Mill Brook can be seen on the right. (February 2005)

Bridge Specs:

Number: 21-06-04#2
Design: Long Truss Variation
Length: 92'
Crosses: Mill Brook
Built: 1951

All photos taken by post author - February 2005 & May 2012.

Sources & Links:

Bissell Covered Bridge ---Bridgehunter.com
Bissell Covered Bridge ---New England Travels

How To Get There:

Comments

Establishing the numbering conventions of California's chargeable Interstates

The Federal Highway Aid Act of 1956 brought the Interstate Highway System into existence which would largely be constructed by Federal Highway Administration fund matching. The Interstate Highway System was deliberately numbered to run opposite the established conventions of the US Route System. While the Interstate Highway numbering conventions are now well established there was a period during the late 1950s where they were still being finalized. This blog examines the history of the establishing of the chargeable Interstate Highway route numbers in California. The above blog cover depicts the Interstate Highway route numbers requested by the Division of Highways in the Los Angeles area during November 1957. The establishment of the numbering conventions of California's chargeable Interstates The Interstate Highway System was not created in a vacuum by way of the passage of the 1956 Federal Highway Aid Act. The beginning of the Interstate Highway System can be found in the

Legend of the Ridge Route; a history of crossing the mountains between the Los Angeles Basin and San Joaquin Valley from wagon trails to Interstates

Over the past two decades I've crossed the Interstate 5 corridor from Los Angeles north over the Sierra Pelona Mountains and Tehachapi Range to San Joaquin Valley what seems to be an immeasurable number of times. While Interstate 5 from Castaic Junction to Grapevine via Tejon Pass today is known to most as "The Grapevine" it occupies a corridor which has been traversed by numerous historic highways. The most notable of these highways is known as the "Ridge Route." This article is dedicated to the Ridge Route and the various highways that preceded it. This blog is part of the larger Gribblenation US Route 99 Page. For more information pertaining to the other various segments of US Route 99 and it's three-digit child routes check out the link the below. Gribblenation US Route 99 Page Ridge Route corridor introdution The Ridge Route as originally envisioned was a segment of highway which was completed in 1915 between the northern Los Angeles city limit

The western end of US Route 6 and Laws Depot on the Carson & Colorado Railway

Back in June of 2016 I visited the western terminus of US Route 6 at US Route 395 located in Bishop, California of Inyo County on my way to Laws Depot. US 6 is one of the longest US Routes at 3,205 miles between Bishop, CA east to Provincetown, MA. Historically US 6 was the longest US Route ever when it ended in Long Beach at 3,652 miles. US 6 is known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway and is mostly known for traveling through some of the most rural corners of the Continental United States. The endpoint of US 6 expanded wildly westward during the early US Route era. Below is a summary of endpoints for US 6 that are listed on USends.com: 1927-1931 - Provincetown, MA west to Erie, PA 1932-1937 - Provincetown, MA west to Greeley, CO 1937-1964 - Provincetown, MA west to Long Beach, CA 1964-Present - Provincetown, MA west to Bishop, CA US 6 was one of the routes heavily truncated during the 1964 California Highway Renumbering. US 6 had a large mul

Gribblenation

Search This Blog