Florenceville Bridge
The bridge across the Saint John River is partly covered.
Coordinates46°26′30″N 67°37′17″W / 46.441672°N 67.621279°W / 46.441672; -67.621279
CrossesSaint John River
LocaleFlorenceville, New Brunswick, Canada
Characteristics
MaterialWood
Trough constructionSteel
History
Opened1887
Rebuilt1907[1]
Location
Map

The Florenceville Bridge consists of one wooden covered span combined with four steel truss spans and one girder span, which crosses the Saint John River at Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada. The bridge has evolved from a five-span uncovered wooden Burr Truss structure, built in 1884 and 1885 and was officially opened in 1886. In 1906 the western span was converted to a covered How Truss, and in 1907 the eastern span was converted to the present covered How Truss, effectively replacing the original structure.

In 1911 the three middle spans were replaced with the present steel spans, and in 1917 the original wooden piers were replaced with concrete piers. In 1932 the western wooden How Truss span was destroyed by fire and was replaced with the steel span which is there today. This is the only fire that ever damaged the bridge. Today the Florenceville Bridge is the oldest bridge across the Saint John River in the exact same place as when originally opened.

Saint John River viewed from the Old Florenceville Bridge

Florenceville Bridge been closed to vehicular traffic since late 2020.[2] However, it remains open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The bridge affords scenic views of the Saint John River and the Town of Florenceville-Bristol. In 2024 the government cancelled plans to renovate the structure.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""Covered Bridges of Carleton County" New Brunswick Department of Transportation: Covered Bridges". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  2. ^ "Update on Old Florenceville Bridge, 20 October 2023". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  3. ^ Dumville, Jim (12 June 2024). "Province leaves repairs to historic Old Florenceville Bridge in doubt". NB News Now. NB News Now. Retrieved 12 January 2025.