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Hardscrabble Covered Bridge - St. Martin's, New Brunswick

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One of two covered bridges to cross Vaughan Creek (also known as the Irish River) in St. Martins, New Brunswick, the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge holds a few distinctions. It is one of a handful of covered bridges within the Province of New Brunswick that has an attached covered walkway. It is also one of two covered bridges in the province where you can see another covered bridge from the bridge. The other covered bridge happens to be the Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge (which was being reconstructed when I visited in early May 2022). This gives the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge and St. Martins another interesting landmark among the interesting things you can see in the area, such as the Fundy Trail Parkway, Bay of Fundy, the Sea Caves and Quaco Head Lighthouse.

Alternatively known as Irish River #2 Covered Bridge, the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge was built in 1946 with a Howe Truss covered bridge design. Spanning 78 feet (or 24 meters) across Vaughan Creek on Main Street, the sidewalk portion of the bridge was added in 1986, allowing for people to safely view the nearby surroundings and the nearby Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge. The Hardscrabble Covered Bridge is one of three covered bridges in the St. Martins area, along with the aforementioned Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge as well as the Tynemouth Creek Covered Bridge. Since the bridge is fairly close to the Bay of Fundy, the high tides do have some effect on the bridge, but likely not much of an effect in normal conditions. Still, the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge is not to be missed if your travels take you to St. Martins, plus there is ample parking near the western portal of the bridge.

Vaughan Creek and construction to the new Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge just to the south of the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge.

The bridge sits at the village limits of St. Martins.

Inside the covered bridge.

The north side of the bridge has some ivy hanging on the siding.

Bridge plaque.

Western portal of the covered bridge, complete with a separated sidewalk.

Side angle of the south side of the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge.


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Sources and Links:
Tourism New Brunswick - Hardscrabble No. 2 Covered Bridge (Irish River No. 2)
New Brunswick Canada - Transportation and Infrastructure
New Brunswick's Covered Bridges - Irish River No. 2 (Hardscrabble)
DaleJTravis.com - New Brunswick Covered Bridges List
Charles E. Frees-Melvin - Irish River # 2 Covered Bridge
Association Heritage New Brunswick - St. Martins Covered Bridges
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Location: Hardscrabble Covered Bridge, 424 Main St, St. Martins, NB E5R, Canada

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