FWIW the verse on the plaque is from:
7 years on and this exceptional example of an Open-Spandrel concrete arch bridge is still closed awaiting a rehabilitation. It looks like it might take action form the courts to determine who actually owns this bridge (and thus who is on the line for repairs):
http://www.eagletimes.com/news/2016-06-02/Front_Page/Federal...
In the plus column, the article talks positively about the historic value of this bridge and the need for a rehab. Lets hope preservation wins out...
VPR podcast on recent efforts to move up the rehab.
http://digital.vpr.net/post/nh-rejects-vt-s-offer-repair-vil...
Come on, don't get me going again!
Mary, I believe you are referring to the Vilas
Pics here - http://preservationinpink.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/vilas-bri...
It's in a beautiful and storied spot, the site of Col. Hale's 1796 span. Background here - http://bridgewright.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/high-water/ - http://bridgewright.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/a-chasm-vast-an...
I'm going to edit this page - The spelling of the name needs correction, and the county needs changing, all bridges over the Connecticut belong to and are the financial responsibility of NH, so if it were to be listed in but one county that would better be Cheshire.
JUST BELOW THE BRIDGE STREET BRIDGE IS ANOTHER HISTORIC BRIDGE CALLED THE [VALE BRIDGE] BUILT IN 1930'S. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ARCHED BRIDGES MADE ALL OF CONCRETE. THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED AT THIS TIME AND PLANS ARE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS BRIDGE CROSSES A LARGE CHASAM FOR OVER FLOW OF THE CONNETICUTT RIVER. RUNS PARRELL WITH RAIL ROAD BRIDGE AND SITS JUST SOUTH OF IT. I WISH I HAD PICTURES OF IT. BUT I DO NOT AT THIS TIME.
YOU CAN GO TO GOOGLE EARTH AND SEE IT. IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
this bridge has been closed for months-no through traffic
There are petroglyphs visible on the rocks below the bridge. Look from the Bellows Falls end and downstream just below the bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellows_Falls_Petroglyph_Site