2. The Bridge Project

001.Boscawen-Canterbury

On July 7, 2002, Peter and I kayaked the Merrimack River for the first time. This bridge is about 8 miles from my house and I never knew it was here. There's a good reason for that...it's been closed since 1965. Before that, it linked the town of Boscawen on the west side of the river to Canterbury on the east side. As of April 2, 2010, it still stands, although in deplorable condition. Curiously, the deck condition is much, much worse on the Canterbury side than the Boscawen side. I suspect that I-93 had something to do with this. Assuming the interstate arrived before the bridge closed, then Boscawen would have needed the bridge to provide fairly quick access to the highway. It looks like they replaced the decking on their half, then probably watched in horror as Canterbury decided not to do the same. With their deck falling apart, the State probably had no choice but to shut the entire bridge down. Shucks. The above theory was a little fantasy created in my own little drama-seeking head. Turns out this splendid bit of NH history suffered a fire. Imagine that, bridge on fire! OK, that's pretty dramatic. Here are more facts: the bridge is a 1907 Parker truss, designed and built by John Storrs. It replaced a 52-year old covered bridge. I found a photo of how this bridge looked in 1976, here. Would love to find earlier photos, particularly when it was still open. This bridge is marked 001 because it was the spark that initiated the "Bridge Project" -- my personal attempt to do for steel truss bridges what has been done for the remaining covered bridges -- showcase their beauty and maybe even save a few for pedestrian usage. That project was stalled in 2007 when I decided that I ought to become a better photographer first. Stay tuned.
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  • My first sighting of the Boscawen-Canterbury bridge, taken from the kayak with my Casio 3.3MP camera.

    My first sighting of the Boscawen-Canterbury bridge, taken from the kayak with my Casio 3.3MP camera.

  • I'm on the Boscawen shore now looking towards Canterbury. Observe how the foliage is slowly eating the bridge. The difference in the deck conditions is also vividly apparent; notice how much light comes through the floor of the more distant span. Also notice that the rails are different; steel on the Boscawen side, and wood on the Canterbury side.

    I'm on the Boscawen shore now looking towards Canterbury. Observe how the foliage is slowly eating the bridge. The difference in the deck conditions is also vividly apparent; notice how much light comes through the floor of the more distant span. Also notice that the rails are different; steel on the Boscawen side, and wood on the Canterbury side.

  • Zoomed out view from the shore.

    Zoomed out view from the shore.

  • The Boscawen approach. Behind me Depot Street ends at a fence with a locked gate. The street is maintained because there are ballfields for little league nearby. Peter is risking a $60 fine if caught standing on the deck of the bridge.

    The Boscawen approach. Behind me Depot Street ends at a fence with a locked gate. The street is maintained because there are ballfields for little league nearby. Peter is risking a $60 fine if caught standing on the deck of the bridge.

  • The view across the span from the Boscawen side. The rail on the right side is slowly coming unglued, as is the leftmost edge of the deck. The left side railing wants to follow. In the distance, the Canterbury deck is gone except for a small strip along the left edge.

    The view across the span from the Boscawen side. The rail on the right side is slowly coming unglued, as is the leftmost edge of the deck. The left side railing wants to follow. In the distance, the Canterbury deck is gone except for a small strip along the left edge.

  • This is the Canterbury approach; West Street ends here at the bridge. I don't know if Canterbury levies a fine for plunging through the foliage. My guess is that only fools do that these days.

    This is the Canterbury approach; West Street ends here at the bridge. I don't know if Canterbury levies a fine for plunging through the foliage. My guess is that only fools do that these days.

  • Peeking through the foliage suggests that Canterbury did at least maintain this strip as a pedestrian walkway for a while. The steel beams sticking out of the decking appear to serve as a fence to keep you from driving onto the bad decking while allowing bikes and persons to cross. If there was any additional fencing along the long stretch, it is long gone.

    Peeking through the foliage suggests that Canterbury did at least maintain this strip as a pedestrian walkway for a while. The steel beams sticking out of the decking appear to serve as a fence to keep you from driving onto the bad decking while allowing bikes and persons to cross. If there was any additional fencing along the long stretch, it is long gone.

  • A somewhat wider view of the Canterbury side showing the condition of the remaining deck and steel; some beams are completely loose. I found a photo taken from this location in 1976. Wow! That was 26 years before this photo was taken and the deck was already in very rough shape. You can read how scary it was even then to venture out onto the deck.

    A somewhat wider view of the Canterbury side showing the condition of the remaining deck and steel; some beams are completely loose. I found a photo taken from this location in 1976. Wow! That was 26 years before this photo was taken and the deck was already in very rough shape. You can read how scary it was even then to venture out onto the deck.

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