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Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower or Blue, Orange County

If you find errors in the data please contact Bill Caswell.

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Inventory Number: VT/45-09-03
County: Orange County
Township: Randolph
Town/Village: East Randolph
Bridge Name: Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower or Blue
Crosses: Second Branch, White River
Truss type: Multiple King
Spans: 1
Length: 54'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1904
Builder:
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N43 54.971
Longitude: W072 33.301
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 1.7 miles south of VT66 on VT14, then 330 feet left on Hyde Rd.

Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower Bridge, Randolph, Orange County, VT Built 1904
Bill Caswell Photo, June 1985

Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower Bridge, Randolph, Orange County, VT Built 1904
Richard E. Roy Collection

Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower Bridge, Randolph, Orange County, VT Built 1904
Bob Sheldon Photo, October 8, 2010

Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower Bridge, Randolph, Orange County, VT Built 1904
Bill Caswell Photo, October 3, 2015

Gifford or C.K. Smith or Lower or Blue Bridge, Randolph, Orange County, VT Built 1904
Todd Clark Collection

Comments:
This bridge was originally constructed in 1883 as a multiple Kingpost truss boxed pony bridge. It was covered in 1904, when a second multiple Kingpost truss was added above the pony truss. This bridge was once painted blue, but has been red for many years. Prior to 1955, it was reinforced with two steel beams above roadway tie-rodded to smaller steel beams under deck to strengthen the structure and increase its load capacity. In 2008, the steel beams were replaced with glu-laminated beams. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1974.

Sources:
Conwill, Joseph D.. Images of America - Vermont Covered Bridges, 2004, page 83
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 145