Dear Friend,

The Pier bridge was rebuilt in 1906/1907 by the Claremont & Concord Railway Co. to replace a wood lattice bridge built in 1871/1872 by the Sugar River railroad. The existing bridge is a double town/Pratt lattice truss bridge which spans the Sugar River at a length of 216'-7'.

                              This makes it the longest covered railroad bridge in the world!!!

Until 1915, Their were fifteen Claremont & Concord Railway Co. covered brideges crossing the Sugar River. But today, the Pier Bridge is one of only two remaining such bridges left in Newport (the Wright Bridge being the second) and one of only eight remaining in the entire country. Therefore, it is an important piece of ourlocal, as well as national history! and because of all those who utilize it (joggers, walkers, four-wheelers, mountain-bikers, dirt bikers, hikers, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers), it is an important part of our town character that needs to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The bridge is owned by the State of New Hampshire and is currently maintained by the Dept. of Resouces and Economic Development (DRED). This routine maintenance is very important, but much more needs to be done to ensure that the bridge is safe from vandals and is kept structurally sound. It is up to all of us to work together to make this happen.

With the expertise of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges and the New Hampshire division of Historical Resources, there are two items that need to be immediately addressed at the bridge:

1.  Protect the bridge against arson & accidental fire:  apply a fire-retardant chemical and install a sprinkler system and a fire alarm system.

2.  Maintain the structural integrity of the bridge:  repair the existing roof (which leaks) repair the existing sideboards (some of which are missing) and repair the existing floorboards.

How can you help?

To be able to complete this work, a Transportation Enhancement Grant is being issued to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources for $500,000 to devote to this project.  In order to receive these funds, the Town of Newport has to raise 20% (or $100,000) of that $500,000.  The Newport Historical Society is generously donating $10,000.00 to this project, which decreases the Town's required contribution to $90,000.00.  This money has to be raised by July 1, 2007, so this is of the essence!  We're asking for your generosity to help preserve this vital part of our heritage. 

Please join us, your friends and neighbors, in the exciting work of saving the Pier Bridge!

Sincerely,

The Newport Historical Society, PO Box 413, Newport NH  03773

      Kathy Butcher, Pier Bridge Committee Chairman (863-8588), 49 Myrtle St,
Newport NH 03773

      Jackie Cote, Fundraising Committee Chairman (863-3105), 8 Kyle Dr, Newport NH  03773

Contributions may be mailed to Pier Bridge Preservation Project, c/o Leighann King, Sugar River Savings Bank, PO Box 569, Newport NH  03773.  Make checks payable to Pier Bridge Preservation Project.