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Atherton Bridge

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The Atherton Bridge has iron compression posts that incline inward towards the center of the span and diagonal tension rods that incline outward towards the abutments. Unusual features include double end posts with adjustable turnbuckles, channeled castings to join the lower chord bars, and patented
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The bridge remained open to pedestrian traffic until April 2020, when a flash flood damaged the bridge's wooden deck and it was closed to all traffic. The long-term future of the bridge is uncertain.
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The bridge is 72 feet (22 m) long and 18.5 feet (5.6 m) feet wide, and is composed of eight panels. It rests on granite abutments.
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The bridge formerly carried Bolton Road, but was closed to vehicular traffic in 1975 and bypassed by a modern highway bridge in the 1980s.
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for all inclined posts. This bridge does not make use of Simeon Post's patented joints. The floor beams support a wood plank deck.
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in 1870. It was the first iron bridge to be constructed in the town. The bridge was added to the
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List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Massachusetts
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Atherton Bridge, Spanning Nashua River on Bolton Road, Lancaster, Worcester County, MA
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There has been a bridge at this location since early settlement. It is named for
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National Register of Historic Places listings in Worcester County, Massachusetts
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List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
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Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
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National Register of Historic Places in Worcester County, Massachusetts
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U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
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Historic American Engineering Record in Massachusetts
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Buildings and structures in Lancaster, Massachusetts
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History of the National Register of Historic Places
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Index

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Atherton Bridge is located in Massachusetts
Atherton Bridge is located in the United States
Lancaster, Massachusetts
42°26′41″N 71°40′19″W / 42.44472°N 71.67194°W / 42.44472; -71.67194
79000377
truss bridge
Lancaster, Massachusetts
Nashua River
Philadelphia
National Register of Historic Places

James Atherton
Phoenix columns
Jet Lowe
Historic American Engineering Record
Ponakin Bridge
National Register of Historic Places listings in Worcester County, Massachusetts
List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Massachusetts
List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
"National Register Information System"
National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service


"Atherton Bridge"
Historic American Engineering Record
"Historic Bridges"
"Bridge Hunter which contains latest status on condition of this bridge"

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