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The Norridgewock Four Arch Bridge, 1928-2008
Built in 1928, the cement, four arch bridge in Norridgewock was once the only bridge of its type in the United States having four arches. It was the seventh bridge to be constructed across the Kennebec River in Norridgewock. And, it was the town's most scenic and inspiring monument for 80 years. Bridges one through five in Norridgewock had all been ripped out by floods, ice and spring freshets. Number six was built in 1870, long enough and high enough to avoid ice and flood ravages — and covered to protect the wooden flooring, keep winter travel safer, and minimize plowing. It lasted through 60 years and many repairs until it was deemed unsafe in 1928. Originally built as a private venture, to be funded by tolls, the bridge had been acquired and subsequently maintained by the town in 1911. New bridges are costly and fortunately for Norridgewock by 1928 two significant changes had taken place. The road across the bridge had become Maine Route 201, and the Maine Legislature had been helping with other public bridges around Maine and a State Highway Commission recently established in Augusta would be responsible for the design. In early 1928, three bridge alternatives were proposed to the Norridgewock selectmen by Maine's first bridge engineer, Llewellyn Edwards. Two were for metal superstructures and one for reinforced concrete. One of the sites was downstream from the covered bridge and the other two slightly above it. The information was presented at a town meeting, where the concrete arch bridge, although more expensive ($249,000), was approved. It would have three (later changed to four) reinforced concrete spandrel arches on piers, a concrete slab roadway and sidewalks with cast-in-place railings. Representative Blanche Folsom, from Norridgewock, introduced a bill to the Maine State Legislature to obtain funds for the new bridge, which was financed by the State — $150,000, Somerset County — $69,000, and Norridgewock — $3,000. A special resolve provided another $5,000. Among the setbacks of construction, 1928 was an unusually cold winter, spring floods that washed out the temporary bridge in April, and minor changes had to be made to the approaches. On the positive side, the Four Arch Bridge was one of the Maine State Highway Commission's and engineer Llewellyn Edwards' most outstanding bridge construction accomplishments. The bridge was 588.9 feet long, with four main spans and four approach spans resting on nine piers. A surface layer of polished white cement was applied over the entire superstructure, with no wood or steel exposed anywhere. Eighteen electric lights with milky-white globes were mounted along the railings. In the late fall of 1929 the contractors, the Kennebec Construction Company, dismantled the old wooden bridge and in September 1930, Norridgewock dedicated the new bridge with a public ceremony and "Walk-Thru." The Four Arch Bridge began eight decades of service, which ended on September 20, 2008, with another public ceremony and "Walk-Thru." Much has happened in the interim, especially the weight, size, speed and volume of vehicular traffic, contributing to the bridge's deterioration. Although both the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the Norridgewock Historical Society sought to preserve the Four Arch Bridge, maintenance expenses and increasing traffic hazards prompted the decision to replace it. Today, it is preserved only in wonderful memories.
The old bridge has been torn down and a new one is being built on the same location. On the right, cars traverse the river on a temporary bridge, which will remain in place until construction of the new bridge is complete. | ||
