Northampton Lattice Truss Bridge - Northampton, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 20.118 W 072° 37.297
18T E 695939 N 4689744
This former Boston & Main Railroad bridge spans the Connecticut River between Northampton and Hadley Massachusetts. It is now part of the Norwottock Rail Trail.
Waymark Code: WMF8PZ
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 09/11/2012
Views: 2
The Northampton Lattice Truss Bridge was once used by the former Boston & Main Railroad as a Connecticut River crossing. The bridge was built by the Central Massachusetts Railroad Company in 1887 by G.M. Tompson, construction engineer and R.F. Hawkins, fabricator. The bridge has an eight-span lattice through truss design and a total length of 1,492 feet. Shortly after the railroad between Boston and Northampton was completed, it was leased by the Boston and Maine Railroad Company and referred to as the Central Massachusetts Branch.
In 1992 the bridge was retrofitted for pedestrian and bicycle use. It is now a link in the 11 mile long path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst Massachusetts along the former Boston & Main Railroad right-of-way. The path is used by pedestrians, wheelchairs, joggers, skaters, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers. Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited. There is parking available at at Elwell State Park on Damon Road in Northampton and Station Road in South Amherst. Public restrooms are available at the parking area at Elwell Recreation Area. It now known as the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge.
Original Use: Railroad
Date Built: 1887
Construction: Steel
Condition: Good
See this website for more information: [Web Link]
Date Abandoned: 1992
Bridge Status - Orphaned or Adopted.: Adopted
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