Bennett-Bean Covered Bridge, Covered road bridge in Lincoln Plantation, Maine, United States.
The Bennett Bridge is a 92-foot Paddleford truss bridge over the Magalloway River, about 1.5 miles south of Wilsons Mills in Lincoln Plantation. Its diagonal cross members connect to King posts with metal bolts, and it rests on granite abutments. Vertical boarding clads the sides about two-thirds of the way to the roof, and wire cables at each corner anchor to concrete settings roughly 25 feet out.
The bridge was built in 1901 and served as a vital link connecting remote farms with nearby towns. It remained in regular use for over 80 years before being closed to traffic in 1985.
The bridge carries a sign dated 1898, while the National Register listing and most references give 1901; the Lost Bridges site of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges also cites 1898. It was listed on the National Register in 1970. Logging trucks working in the area used the span heavily until it was closed to traffic in 1985.
The structure is located south of Wilson Mills and accessible via small country roads. The narrow interior width means only low-clearance vehicles can pass through, so check access conditions before visiting.
The bridge employs Paddleford truss design with diagonal cross members, a structural technique that gives it exceptional strength. This engineering approach was common for covered bridges built in that era.
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