The historic bridge that carries Main Street across the Tankerhoosen River in the Talcottville section of Vernon is being replaced, although the existing historic superstructure will be preserved. Photos of the project will be posted below. 

4-29-2021 Vernon’s Talcottville is Getting a New Old Bridge

Vernon’s Main Street is getting a new bridge over the Tankerhoosen River.

The historic 58-foot long elliptical truss bridge, constructed in 1891 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, is being replaced. The historic trusses, however, will be preserved and the new bridge will pass between them.

“This new bridge will provide safe passage for people travelling Main Street, while also preserving an important and interesting historic element in the Talcottville Historic District,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said.

Crews with NJR Construction of Torrington have begun working on the project. GM2 of Glastonbury designed the new bridge.

5-28-2021 In the photos below, the modern beams installed 25 years ago have been removed from the structure and the historic iron has been cleaned, primed and painted. This is likely the first time in 130 or more years that anyone has seen the old stone work with the freshly painted wrought iron. - Dave Smith, Town Engineer

An old bridge support beam is removed.

6-15-2021 Although there has been a drop in intensity at the historic Main Street Bridge work site, work is continuing. A subcontractor will be doing geotechnical work for the foundation for the new bridge. And some fabrication work is being done off site.

The repairs made 25 years ago to the bridge have been removed and the original stone abutments and historic trusses are clearly visible.

8-26-2021 The underpinning of the new deck of the Main Street Bridge was moved into place in recent days. The girders will support the deck, concrete and asphalt that will become the roadway the bridge carries across the Tankerhoosen River. A series of bridge rails will be installed to protect the historic eyebrow trusses.

10-4-2021 Work continues on the deck of the Main Street bridge. In the photos below bridge deck studs have been installed and the form of the bridge deck is beginning to take shape.

11-4-2021 We are moving into the home stretch on the reconstruction of the historic Main Street Bridge. The concrete deck has been installed.

In the photos below, a concrete pump has been put in place to begin pumping concrete for the deck.

Workers are preparing to the bridge deck to receive concrete.

Workers are close to completing the pour of the concrete deck.

The deck is poured and workers do some detail work.

The overall scene before the concrete is pumped.

Workers guide the concrete onto the deck.

Finishing work on the concrete pour.