Hartland Bridge

Hartland Bridge is a covered wooden bridge spanning the Saint John River in New Brunswick, connecting the towns of Hartland and Somerville. The structure measures roughly 391 meters and features seven truss segments resting on six concrete piers, built with Douglas fir timber from British Columbia.

The bridge opened as a toll crossing in 1901 and received its wooden roof in 1921 to protect the structure from weather damage. This covering was a common practice for wooden bridges of that era to extend their lifespan.

The bridge takes its name from the nearby town of Hartland and serves as a daily crossing for local residents moving between communities on either side of the river. People who live here consider it a familiar landmark rather than something distant or exceptional.

The bridge enforces a vehicle weight limit of three tonnes and operates as a single lane with designated pedestrian pathways on the sides. Visitors should expect slow traffic and tight clearance for vehicles passing through.

The bridge is often overlooked despite being one of the longest covered bridge structures of its kind in the North American region. Its unusual length and sturdy build represent an engineering approach typical of the early 1900s.

Location: Hartland

Location: Somerville

Inception: July 4, 1901

Official opening: 1901

Length: 391 m

Longest Span: 51 m

Made from material: Pseudotsuga menziesii, concrete, rock asphalt

GPS coordinates: 46.29673,-67.53016

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42