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Bennington
County, Vermont
(WGN 45-02-05)
(WGCB VT-02-05): (1841; rebuilt 1870; repaired and painted 1970;
repaired and strengthened 1972; repaired 1996) A two-span Town
lattice truss 117' across Roaring Branch Brook. Located: NE edge
of East Arlington, Vermont at Chiselville, Vermont on Maple Street. Directions:
US 7 at exit 3 go east on SR 313 to right (at 4 way stop intersection)
on Warm Brook Road 0.6 mile to right at T-intersection on East Arlington
Road (it changes name to Maple Street). The bridge is 1 mile from
the T-intersection. Named for a former chisel factory who's factory
housing was located nearby. On October 4, 1869, a gale and downpour
sent the Roaring Branch Brook smashing into the old covered bridge, destroying
it. The bridge is supported with guy wires at each corner running
from under the eave to a ground anchor, provide lateral stabilization against
strong winds. In August 1970, the bridge was painted and some sideboards
were replaced. The structure was heavily damaged in June, 1971, when
two loaded gravel trucks tried to cross at the same time. In 1972
the bridge was repaired and strengthened
for approximately
$60.000.00 with the addition of an independent slab roadway supported
by three steel I-beams and a central concrete pier. In 1996 the bridge
was again repaired at a cost of $140,000.00 which included roof repair
and the repair or replacement of deteriorated truss members. At 40',
it is the second highest covered bridge above a stream bed in Vermont.
Vertical tongue and groove boarding covers the sides to rail height, open
above the eaves exposing the truss. Vertical tongue and groove boarding
also covers the sides of the entrances and horizontal boarding covers the
gables. It is painted barn red on the exterior and on
the weather panels inside the entrances. It has a green painted steel
roof. Also known as the High Covered Bridge, the Roaring
Branch Covered Bridge, the East Arlington Covered Bridge and
the Sunderland Covered Bridge. (Sep 2003) |
