Albany Bridge
No. 49
Built in 1858 by Amzi Russell and Leander S. Morton for $1,300, the Albany Covered Bridge spans the Swift River in Albany. An earlier bridge built by John Douglas was destroyed by flooding. The present Paddleford truss was completed using salvaged materials from the earlier structures.
The Albany Bridge underwent major rehabilitation by the U.S. Forest Service in 1970 and by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation in 1995 and 2009. The 2009 project included repairs to the abutments, replacement of the decking and floor beams, repairs to the trusses, and efforts to straighten the structure. The bridge is now closed to vehicular traffic during the winter months.
Albany Bridge Photo Album
Paddleford Truss Article
Paddleford Truss Podcast
The Paddleford Truss with Bob Durfee
Kim interviews engineer Bob Durfee of DuBois & King about bridgewright Peter Paddleford and his unique truss design. Learn why even though it was never patented, the Paddleford truss dominated covered bridge construction in northern New England for many years. Today there are only 22 Paddleford covered bridges left in New England.
