Willimansett Bridge, Truss bridge in Chicopee, United States
The Willimansett Bridge crosses the Connecticut River between Chicopee and Holyoke with a span of approximately 800 feet (240 meters). Its structure comprises four truss spans and two girder spans that together support the bridge deck.
The bridge was built in 1891 by R.F. Hawkins Iron Works of Springfield and cost approximately 178,000 dollars. It demonstrates early techniques of riveted connections in highway bridge construction.
The bridge takes its name from the Willimansett Valley it spans and forms part of the daily fabric of the region. It enables people to cross between communities that would otherwise remain distant from each other.
The bridge underwent extensive rehabilitation between 2011 and 2015, which included structural repairs, deck replacements, and safety improvements. Today it is a well-maintained route for through traffic between the two cities.
The bridge combines design elements from the late 1800s with construction methods more commonly seen in early 1900s bridges. This makes it an interesting example of the architectural transition between those periods.
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