JUNE 2010 -- The historic Pingree Bridge in West Salisbury, New Hampshire, will be removed and replaced this summer. This bridge is one of only three pin-connected low ("pony") Pratt truss metal bridges remaining in New Hampshire. It was built by the Groton Bridge Company in 1893, and is 77 feet long. (Continued below)

In addition to its engineering significance as an excellent example of its type, the bridge is also a three-dimensional history lesson, showing the influence of the national Good Roads movement in New Hampshire, and also reflecting the importance of factory-produced pin-connected truss bridges in transportation history and technology.

Federal and state laws require mitigation for the loss of historic resources. As part of its mitigation plan for the Pingree Bridge, the Town of Salisbury is offering the bridge for relocation, free of charge, to the bidder with the best plans to use and care for it. Potential new uses could include, but are not limited to, trail systems, parks, golf courses, or even for stream crossings in residential or recreational developments.

For more information about the bridge and how to place a bid, contact Margaret I. Warren, Administrative Assistant, at the Selectmen's Office, PO Box 214, Salisbury, NH 03268-0214; telephone 603-648-2473; fax 603-648-6658; or send an e-mail message.

Article and photo from the NH Division of Historical Resources Spring 2010 newsletter

GOOD NEWS FOLLOW-UP

Dear Dennis,

Your sharing of the Pingree Bridge “for sale” story with your SeacoastNH.com readership seems to have been the catalyst for the bridge to find a new home.  When it was first advertised, there was some interest, but no formal bids were submitted.  After your story was published and the bridge was advertised again, there were two bidders for the second round (one from the Seacoast), and a third late submission from a trails group.  The successful bidder has been chosen and the bridge is now in safe storage halfway between its original and future homes.  The town, the engineering consultants, DOT and the DHR are all thrilled; and we are hoping that the two unsuccessful bidders will submit bids for the two other similar metal bridges that are now available for relocation.  I am convinced that without the publicity you gave to the quest, the Pingree Bridge would have languished into extinction.  You have given us all new hope for saving and reusing New Hampshire’s historic bridges.  THANK YOU !   Ben Leubsdorf is working on a follow-up story for the Monitor, but I don’t know when it will be published.

Linda Ray Wilson, DSHPO

NH Division of Historical Resources

19 Pillsbury Street

Concord NH 03301-3570