A long time ago, the beautiful state of Maine had more than 120 covered bridges spread out across its pretty scenery. That number had dropped to eight by last week.
It’s been over a week, and it’s still seven and a broken one to fix. This bad change happened because, despite clear signs, the driver of an overweight car tried to cross one of these historic structures.
What happened after the driver tried to cross the bridge?
The attempt failed because the bridge gave way, sending the driver, the truck, and its load into the water below. Damage this ancient and well-known piece of architecture in Main.
In fact, it was Gorham, Maine’s Babb’s Bridge. It is the oldest covered bridge in the state, having been built in 1840 and having a long and interesting past. This wooden beauty can only hold three tons of weight, though.
Sadly, the driver of a Ford F-750 thought he could go beyond these limits. But when they’re empty, these trucks can weigh more than 9,000 pounds. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) can be anywhere from 26,000 to 37,000 pounds, which is a lot more than what the bridge can hold.
The error in this estimate had terrible results, causing major damage to one of Maine’s most important historical buildings. This event is a stark reminder of how important it is to follow the weight limits that are written on these fragile but historically important bridges.
The Gorham Police Department says it looks like the driver was also bringing crushed gravel. It would have been too much for the little old bridge to handle even if the car was an older F-Series and didn’t weigh anything extra.
Understanding the Importance of Road Signs in Bridges
There are no signs on or near the bridge itself that say how much weight is allowed, but there are signs on the road. The big, clear signs show how high the bridge is (10 feet), how wide it is (single lane), and how much weight it can hold (three tons maximum). They are set up along Hurricane Road at the last big intersection before the crossing. It’s pretty impossible to miss them.
- Height: 10 feet
- Width: Single lane
- Weight Limit: Three tons max
Drives need to pay close attention to these signs to avoid accidents that could damage property or put people in danger. When getting close to restricted areas, you should always be careful and know how much your vehicle weighs and how big it is.
From the pictures, it’s clear that the bridge gave way almost right away when the truck hit it. Luckily, the driver only had minor injuries and was able to get out of the car by himself. Since a lot of people like to swim and boat in this area, it’s good that no one else was hurt.
Historical Significance of Babb’s Bridge
Babb’s Symbol, which was built in the 1800s, was an important way to cross the Presumpscot River for more than one hundred years. Sadly, thieves set it on fire and destroyed it in 1973.
Luckily, the state rebuilt an exact copy using historically correct materials found in the area. It was finished later that same year and opened to the public. Now, because of this recent event, the bridge needs to be partially rebuilt again.
Upcoming Repairs and Timeline
The Maine Department of Transportation says the work won’t be done until spring of next year. This delay is because of the time it takes to find wood that fits the period.
Other fixes that need to be done will be done while Babb’s Bridge is closed. Repair figures have not been made public yet, but the truck company owner has kindly offered to help pay for the rebuilding. The incident is still being looked into by local officials.