Willimantic Footbridge

The Willimantic Footbridge is a steel pedestrian bridge that crosses the Willimantic River and connects different parts of town. It features five spans with varying truss designs and combines steel supports with granite stone foundations throughout its length.

Built in 1906 as an engineering achievement by the Owego Bridge Company, the structure served a rapidly growing town. Its historical importance was officially recognized in 1979 when it was added to a national register of historic places.

The footbridge demonstrates how early 20th-century engineers created practical solutions to connect divided parts of the town. Its mix of steel spans and stone supports remains a familiar landmark in the daily lives of residents.

The bridge offers year-round foot access over the river, railroad tracks, and streets below, making it a reliable route between neighborhoods. The elevated position gives walkers a good view of the surroundings from above.

It stands as the only pedestrian bridge in New England that crosses both a river and railroad tracks in a single structure. This dual challenge required engineers to solve a problem that few other bridges in the region had to address.