2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winner: Town of Bradford

The N.H. Preservation Alliance is pleased to announce our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award winner, Town of Bradford for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Bement Covered Bridge along with Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., and Neil H. Daniels, Inc.

This award recognizes the commitment of the small town of Bradford, population 1,650, to save a rare resource, develop a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, and implement creative engineering solutions to meet 21st century needs.

The Bement bridge was constructed over the East Branch of the Warner River in 1854 following a design patented by US Army Colonel Stephen H. Long of Hopkinton, NH.  It is one of only four surviving Long Trusses in New Hampshire and 25 remaining in the United States.

An interior view of the Bement bridge in Bradford, NH. Photo credit: James Perkins

Using a model of the bridge trusses, the design team developed an innovative plan to overhaul the historic structure. Goals were to minimize loss of historic materials, make "in-kind" replacements for members that were damaged or lacked historic integrity, and add new, reversible structural reinforcing members. Our committee appreciated the team’s attention to detail.

Work began with moving the bridge off its abutments.  As the timber frame repairs progressed, rot was discovered in both expected and unexpected places, requiring more work than anticipated.

In addition, the stones of the entire north abutment had shifted over time, putting the stability of the entire structure at risk. The engineers designed a new dry-laid stone abutment that closely replicated the characteristics of the south abutment using stone from a local quarry.

Federal, state and local funds covered the $1.65 million cost. The bridge is now more useful than before, with an increased live load limit, and an expected service life that will enable current and future generations to use and enjoy it for a long time. 

Townspeople, visitors and others celebrated the bridge’s reopening and welcome its many contributions to community life—visual, practical, and historic.

Read about the rest of our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winners here.