Hartland Bridge

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Hartland Bridge, from the Somerville side looking back toward Hartland.

The Hartland Bridge, featured on a 1995 stamp.

The Hartland Bridge in Hartland, New Brunswick, is the world's longest covered bridge.

The bridge, 1,282 feet (390 metres) long, crosses the Saint John River from Hartland to Somerville. It was constructed in 1901 by the Hartland Bridge Company, and was purchased by the provincial government in 1906. The bridge was not originally built covered.

In 1920, two spans of the bridge collapsed due to river ice. The bridge reopened in 1922 after construction to repair the structure, at which time the bridge was also covered.

A pedestrian walkway was added to the bridge in 1945.

The bridge was declared a national historic site in 1980.

In 1982, the bridge was again closed for repairs after a car struck a steel beam, causing part of the bridge to drop. The bridge was reopened to traffic on February 10, 1983.

[edit] Legends

There are various local legends that surround the bridge. Some believe it brings good luck, saying that if you close your eyes, hold your breath and cross your fingers as you drive along the bridge's length, your wish will be granted.

Despite opposition [1] to the covering of the bridge, this took place. Historically, when the bridge was mostly used by horses and wagons, couples would stop half-way across to share a kiss. The first wedding on the bridge was celebrated in September 1993 between Charmaine Laffoley and David Hunt from Toronto.