Babb's Bridge, Covered bridge in Cumberland County, United States.
Babb's Bridge is a single-span queenspost truss covered bridge over the Presumpscot River on Hurricane Road, linking Windham and Gorham. It measures 79 feet long and 13 feet 9 inches wide, with a gabled roof and vertical board siding on its sides and end walls. Its portals post a 10-foot height limit.
The date of the earlier bridge is disputed: some sources give 1843, while the state and others maintain 1864. It was listed on the National Register in 1972 through the joint effort of the Windham and Gorham historical societies, then destroyed by arson in 1973. The towns petitioned the state for a replica rather than a steel and concrete replacement, and the present bridge was dedicated in 1976, built partly with donated materials and labor.
The 1976 bridge was raised partly by community effort, with materials and labour donated by residents, using techniques that may have been used for the original. The towns petitioned the state for a replica rather than a steel and concrete replacement. The name comes from the Babb family, early settlers on the Presumpscot River.
Heavy vehicles and oversized trucks should not attempt to cross this bridge due to weight and height restrictions. It is wise to check conditions before traveling and avoid commercial or large transport.
A dump truck carrying gravel severely damaged the deck in 2024 by exceeding the weight limit. This incident revealed how vulnerable this historic structure is to modern traffic loads.
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