Here in New Brunswick, we had about 400 covered bridges at one point in time. Today, there are 58 remaining. These bridges represent more than a simple aid to transportation. They symbolize the growth and prosperity of the province in the 20th century. Covered bridges were covered for a very practical reason. The roofs protect the floorboards and their supporting beams from the wetting and drying that open bridges normally endure.
New Brunswick covered bridges are distinctive from similar bridges in other parts of North America for two reasons. The most visible is that the wall boards were left unpainted, resulting then in turning the wood the popular soft gray. They are today. Secondly, the openings are taller than most as most bridges were built in rural communities. Regulations stated that bridges must allow a full wagon load of loose hay to be able to pass under safely.
With each passing year, New Brunswick's covered bridges are increasingly at risk of irreparable damage or demolition due to a range of natural forces, accidents, vandalism and the lack of maintenance. Recent ice and floodwaters have taken their toll, weakening and immediately threatening the future of many bridges.
But the province is investing in repairing some of the bridges, and even in building the first new one in 70 years. In this podcast, you will learn about some of the ones that you should visit!
Businesses/organizations mentioned in the podcast are listed below:
Association Heritage New Brunswick
Provincial List of Covered Bridges
SJYO Holiday Concert – December 16
Home for Christmas playing at Fredericton Playhouse – December 22
[00:00:00] I am Mark the New Brunswick Traveler and here we talk about New Brunswick stuff.
[00:00:14] New Brunswick is often referred to as a drive-through province going to Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia,
[00:00:21] but more and more were becoming a destination province, where people are coming to spend the night, Thanks to Denis from New Brunswick for going to my website at nvtraveller.com and purchase me a cup of coffee. This morning I'm drinking a cup of William Sumatra coffee that I purchased at Costco. In addition to the Bay of Fundy, Hopel Rocks and the Reversing Rapids, a popular tourist
[00:01:40] attraction here in New Brunswick are covered bridges.
[00:01:44] In North America, numerous timber-covered bridges The purpose of the covering is to protect the wooden structural members from the weather. Uncuthered wooden bridges typically have a lifespan of only 20 years because of the engineering dynamics at work. That design was improved over the years. Between 1969 and 2015, the number of surviving covered bridges in Canada declined from about 400 to under 200. And like I said, there are 58
[00:04:22] remaining here in New Brunswick. These bridges represent more than a simple aid to transportation. The most visible is that the wallboards were left unpainted, resulting then in turning the wood, the popular soft gray they are today. Secondly. While there I had the opportunity to visit the Hartland Covered Bridge. This bridge spans the St. John River and at 1282 feet is the longest covered bridge in the world. Before the bridge the only way to cross across the bridge. With each passing year New Brunswick's covered bridges are increasingly at risk of irreparable damage or demolition due to a range of natural forces, accidents, vandalism, and the lack of maintenance. Recent ice and flood waters have taken their toll,
[00:08:22] weakening, and immediately threatening the sides of the covered bridge along with the roof. From St. John it's only about a 30 minute drive plus a 10 minute. John. This is in the area of the town of Sussex. In fact, you can go to Sussex, you can go to Hartland, you can go to any one of a number of other places, and see a bridge that probably is well over a hundred years old. in the Frederitan or St. John area. The St. John Youth Orchestra is holding their holiday concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th at St. John High School. And in Frederitan, home for Christmas will be presented at the Frederitan Playhouse on Friday, December 22nd