Home

General Sullivan Bridge

Little Bay Bridge

   

Advertisements:

Promotions:   Chicago's Bridges   By Nathan Holth, author of HistoricBridges.org, this book provides a discussion of the history and virtual tour of Chicago's movable bridges. Dozens of photos.   Available Now Direct From The Publisher! The 5th Annual Historic Bridge Weekend will be held in Iowa and organized by The BridgeHunter's Chronicles this year from August 9th through the 11th. Details are available here.

Bridge Documented: June 16, 2012

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

View Photos and Videos

View and Link To Maps

Key Facts

	Bridge Name	Facility Carried / Feature Intersected	Location	Structure Type	Construction Date and Builder/Engineer
	General Sullivan Bridge Little Bay Bridge	Non-Motorized Path (Old US-4 Alignment) Over Little Bay	Portsmouth and Dover: Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Strafford County, New Hampshire	Metal Continuous (Arched) Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Metal Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Deck Truss, Fixed	1934 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown and Engineer/Design: Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike of Boston, Massachusetts

Technical Facts

Rehabilitation Date	Main Span Length	Structure Length	Roadway Width	Main Spans	Approach Spans	NBI Number
1950	275 Feet (83.8 Meters)	1585 Feet (483.1 Meters)	24 Feet (7.3 Meters)	1	8	006502000002300

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

View a detailed historical narrative about this historic bridge.

This bridge is the only surviving example of a unique design of bridge designed by Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike. The larger and earlier example was the Lake Champlain Bridge, now demolished. The three central spans of the bridge are one of the earliest examples in the country of a design of bridge that was copied by a number of engineers in future bridge projects. The design features a deck truss that transitions into a through truss, using an arched shape. The specific design as seen here and later adapted by others does not include hangers, and can either be constructed to function, like the General Sullivan Bridge, in a hingeless format (continuous truss) or a hinged design (cantilever truss). These bridges are sometimes called "arched continuous trusses" or "arched cantilever trusses." However the theory and general design behind these varieties of bridges can be further adapted to allow the center portion of the truss to arch well above the roadway, and to connect to the roadway via hangers. This variation is called a "suspended-deck continuous truss" or "suspended-deck cantilever truss." Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike also built some of the earliest examples of suspended-deck truss bridges as well.

Given that this bridge is among the earliest surviving examples of its style, as well as an early surviving highway continuous truss, it is hard to understate the historic significance of this bridge. It is certainly among the most significant bridges in New Hampshire.

The General Sullivan Bridge has been bypassed by a modern bridge, however was left standing next to its replacement. There was serious concerns that despite this, the bridge was still at risk for demolition.  However, a visit to the bridge in 2012 found that a large approach structure had been built to reach the northern end of the bridge, which was disconnected as part of the continuing project to provide a wider vehicular bridge next to the historic bridge. This substantial approach structure accommodates non-motorized traffic. It seems unlikely that the bridge currently faces demolition, if such expense went toward producing this new approach system. There is some cause for continuing concern however, since one of the southern approach spans is signed and partially fenced to limit the number of pedestrians on it, suggesting there is some form of deterioration on this particular span. It is hoped that the bridge will receive whatever repairs are needed to ensure this exceedingly significant historic bridge remains for decades to come.

Photos and Videos: General Sullivan Bridge

Available Photo Galleries and Videos

Click on a thumbnail or gallery name below to visit that particular photo gallery. If videos are available, click on a video name to view and/or download that particular video.

 

	Structure Overview Original / Full Size Photos	A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution.
	Structure Details Original / Full Size Photos	A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution.
	Structure Overview Mobile Optimized Gallery	A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem (dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below. Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer
	Structure Details Mobile Optimized Gallery	A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem (dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below. Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer

View and Link To Maps

 

Home

Top