Saugatuck River Bridge

Saugatuck River Bridge is a road crossing made of wrought iron that spans the river with a pin-connected truss design supporting the deck. It carries Route 136 across the water and features a roadway about 20 feet wide.

This crossing was built in 1884 to replace an earlier wooden bridge that had deteriorated from shipworm damage. The construction came from Union Bridge Company of Buffalo and represented a significant upgrade to local infrastructure at that time.

The bridge forms a central landmark in the Bridge Street Historic District and defines the visual character of this neighborhood. Locals and visitors alike recognize it as a symbol that connects the community's past with its present landscape.

Traffic crosses this span in both directions on a regular daily basis as a standard transit route. Visitors should remember this is an active roadway and full attention is needed when near or crossing the structure.

This is Connecticut's oldest operational movable bridge and remains the only hand-cranked crossing in the state. The manual operating mechanism is a working relic from the past that still functions today.

Location: Westport

Inception: 1884

Architects: Union Bridge Company

Part of: Bridge Street Historic District

GPS coordinates: 41.12280,-73.36940

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:46