Known as the Vaughan Creek Bridge, this covered bridge spans what we take to be Vaughan Creek, just metres inland from the Bay of Fundy. It has been listed in a list of covered bridges in New Brunswick as Irish River Bridge #1. The sign over the bridge says the same. It is immediately east of the town of St. Martins. on the Big Salmon River Road. This has been the only bridge over Vaughan Creek for Big Salmon River Road since its construction in 1935. Though it wears no paint, the bridge is still in pretty good condition.
Built in 1935, the bridge has a length of 21.8m (71' 6") and a wood plank road bed, in pretty good condition, as is the rest of the bridge.
The location of the iconic bridge is one of a kind. It's the only spot in the world where you can take a photo with two covered bridges and a lighthouse. Vaughan Creek is just down the road from Hardscrabble Bridge No. 2, which was built later in 1946.
From CBC Canada
Travel Directions:
From Highway 1, take exit 137A-B, to Route 111, then east for 39.2 km (24.3 mi.) to St. Martins, onto Main Street for 2.3 km (1.4 mi.), on to Big Salmon River Road.
Parking is available in a large lot just off the east end of the bridge.
Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge
(Irish River No. 1)
Built in 1935, this covered bridge is 22 m (72 ft.) in length. Driving directions: Route 1, Exit 137A-B, Route 111 East 39.2 km (24.3 mi.) to St. Martins, to Main Street 2.3 km (1.4 mi.), onto Bayview Road.
The Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge will be replaced by a new wooden two-lane covered bridge on the same alignment as the existing bridge. The new bridge will be designed to accommodate larger vehicles, 2 lanes of traffic and have a pedestrian passage way. Construction on the new bridge will begin in the fall of 2021 and be open to traffic at the end of the summer of 2022.
The front façade of the original Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge will be preserved in partnership with the Village of St. Martins. The modular bridge will remain in place during construction and be removed once the new covered bridge is built.
From Tourism New Brunswick