Centre Covered Bridge, Lyndon Vermont
The Centre covered bridge is the longest bridge supported by timber Paddleford trusses in Vermont, and one of only three bridges of that truss type to survive in the state. The bridge has an outside walkway, a feature of only five other covered bridges in the state. In 1960, the bridge was moved from its original site across the Passumpsic River, between Lyndonville and Lyndon Centre to allow for construction of a new bridge better suited to current traffic. The bridge now crosses the same river about one mile upstream from its original site.
The Centre bridge displays marked architectural similarity to the four other covered bridges in the town of Lyndon and a bridge in the adjoining town of Danville. Generally, the bridges have open upper walls, extended eaves, projecting gable ends, and portals framed either with diagonal upper corners or arches, each complemented by similar forms under the eaves. These characteristics identify. the. most. distinctive regional design among the covered bridges in Vermont.
The Centre covered bridge consists of a single span supported by two flanking timber Paddleford trusses; an outside walkway is attached to the bridge's east side. The bridge has been moved from its original site and no longer carries vehicular traffic. A small rectangular wood frame office has been built inside the south portal, independent of the bridge structure. The bridge rests on temporary abutments built of concrete.
The Centre bridge is 118 feet long at floor level. The gable ends project five feet beyond the floor at each portal. The bridge is 20 feet wide and has a 17.5-foot roadway; the outside walkway is 4.5 feet wide. The wood floor consists of planks laid flat and parallel to the trusses.
On the exterior, the heavy timbers pegged and bolted together to form the trusses (and side walls) of the bridge are sheathed on the lower east wall and walkway with flush boards hung vertically. The boards reach only about five feet from the floor; the wall and walkway are open above that height, revealing the structural members. The west wall currently lacks sheathing although nailing strips still attached to the truss members suggest former sheathing on the lower part.
The gable ends are sheathed with clapboards hung horizontally and painted red with white trim. The portal openings and eaves are framed with semi-elliptical arches (three at each end of the bridge). The medium-pitch gable roof is covered with corrugated metal sheeting. There are extraordinarily wide overhangs at the eaves to protect the exposed trusswork below.
South portal and east elevation, showing outside walkway (1974)
North portal and west elevation (1973)
