Bement Bridge

No. 14

Built around 1854 for a reported $500, the Bement Covered Bridge spans the Warner River in Bradford. Although often attributed to Colonel Stephen H. Long, its unusual truss design differs significantly from Long’s patented system, and Long was not in the Northeast when the bridge was constructed.

The bridge was closed in 1968 after being found structurally unsound, but Bradford voters chose restoration over replacement. A major rehabilitation was completed in 1969, and another extensive restoration was completed in 2020-2021. Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. led the engineering, with Daniels Construction, Inc. of Ascutney, Vermont, completing the construction. The $1.64 million project retained much of the historic timber framing, rebuilt the abutments, replaced the bottom chord, and included extensive structural and roadway improvements. The Bement Bridge reopened on June 13, 2021. It is maintained by the Town of Bradford.