The Crossman Bridge, also known as the Gilbert Road Bridge, is a truss bridge located in Warren, Massachusetts, carrying Gilbert Road across the Quaboag River. Built in 1888 and rehabilitated in 2004–08, it is one of the few surviving lenticular truss bridges in Massachusetts,[3] and the only known lenticular pony truss bridge. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[1]

Crossman Bridge
Crossman Bridge
Coordinates42°12′37″N 72°14′44″W / 42.21028°N 72.24556°W / 42.21028; -72.24556
CrossesQuaboag River
LocaleWarren, Massachusetts
Characteristics
DesignLenticular pony truss
Total length73.2 ft (22.3 m)
Width17.7 ft (5.4 m)
Longest span71.9 ft (21.9 m)
History
Construction end1888
Construction cost$2,175
Crossman Bridge
LocationGilbert Road, Warren, Massachusetts
Built1888
NRHP reference No.10001065[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 27, 2010
Location
Map
References
[2]

Description and history

edit
 
Detail

The Crossman Bridge is located just west of West Warren, on Gilbert Road just south of its junction with Main Street (Massachusetts Route 67). The bridge is 73 feet (22 m) long and 18 feet (5.5 m) wide, and is mounted on concrete abutments topped with granite slabs. The lenticular trusses have a maximum depth of about 8 feet (2.4 m). The bridge deck is supported by a modern system of steel beams and stringers. A decorative railing, originally protective in nature, has been preserved, augmented by a modern guard rail.[4]

The bridge was built in 1888 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Co. at a cost $2,175.[3][5] It is only one of three known lenticular bridges in the state, and the only one that is a pony truss (without connection between the trusses above the roadway). It was the first metal bridge on the site, which has a history of bridge crossings dating to 1795. It was named for the A. W. Crossman factory, which stood just south of the river to the east of Gilbert Road.[4] From 2004 to 2008, it was removed for repairs, rehabilitated and reassembled by U.S. Bridge of Cambridge, Ohio.[3][5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings". National Park Service. January 7, 2011. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  2. ^ "Crossman Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  3. ^ a b c Miner, Bradford L. (April 2, 2008). "Bridge back in town; assembly required; Gilbert Rd. span may reopen in 2 months". Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  4. ^ a b "NRHP nomination for Crossman Bridge". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  5. ^ a b "The Crossman Bridge, Warren, Approved for Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places" (PDF). Massachusetts Secretary of State. Retrieved 2014-01-09.