Jay Bridge

Jay Bridge is a covered wooden bridge that spans the east branch of the Ausable River using a Howe truss framework. The structure combines timber beams with metal tension rods to carry foot and bicycle traffic across the water.

The bridge was reconstructed after a devastating flood in 1856 using the Howe truss design, a method that soon spread throughout New England. This engineering approach demonstrated how traditional materials could be strengthened with metal components.

The bridge represents a shift in American engineering practices, combining traditional wooden construction methods with metal components for enhanced structural performance.

The bridge is open to foot and bicycle traffic at no charge and can be crossed during daylight hours. The pathway is narrow with wooden surfaces that become slippery when wet, so careful footing is important.

Metal fasteners on the vertical posts allow for fine adjustments to the structural tension, showing an early use of adjustable engineering. This system let the bridge adapt to temperature shifts and changing loads over time.