The Double-arch Sandstone Bridge or more commonly known as the Sands Bridge, is a historic dry stone

arch bridge An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side. A viaduct (a ...

over the

Spicket River The Spicket River is a river located in New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the United States. It is a left tributary of the Merrimack River, part of the Gulf of Maine watershed. It is sometimes spelled "Spickett". The Spicket River begins at the ...

on Hampshire Road in

Methuen, Massachusetts Methuen () is a 23 square mile (60 km2) city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 53,059 at the 2020 census. Methuen lies along the northwestern edge of Essex County, just east of Middlesex County and just south of ...

. Built without mortar between the stones, parts of it date back to 1735. It was used to handle traffic between Methuen and

Salem, New Hampshire Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 30,089 at the 2020 census. Being located on Interstate 93 as the first town in New Hampshire, which lacks any state sales tax, Salem has grown into a commerci ...

History

The location, along the old Dracut Path, was a marshy area of the Spicket River that could be forded by horse or cart. The ford eventually was bridged. The earliest town record, from the Town meeting of 1730, show a simple plank bridge was used which required regular maintenance at the cost of the township. The wooden bridge was replaced with the more durable stone arch bridge in 1835. Solid abutment supports were constructed on each river bank. A wooden frame shaped like the underside of the bridge, was constructed over the river. The stones where then set on the frame, without mortar. The bridge was filled in with rubble and dirt, which over time would compress against the abutments. The wooden frame was then removed. If constructed correctly a stone arch bridge should last indefinitely, but the Sands Bridge is not a well built bridge. Photographic evidence shows the keystone had slipped by the late nineteenth century. The bridge was used consistently until it was taken out of service in 1963 when the

was rerouted and

Interstate 93 Interstate 93 (I-93) is an Interstate Highway in the New England states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont in the United States. Spanning approximately along a north–south axis, it is one of three primary Interstate Highways ...

was built. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places June 20, 1984.

Current status

In May 2009, the bridge was in a terrible state of disrepair and in danger of collapse. However, Methuen city officials wanted to make the area more accessible to the public and have unveiled plans to restore the bridge and build an adjoining park with walking paths, viewing areas, "rustic seating" and a parking lot. As of Sept. 2012, the city of Methuen has allowed the bridge to fall further into disrepair. City officials have not taken any action to care for the bridge. Sands Bridge, Methuen, MA.jpg, Sands Bridge circa 1900 Sands bridge northside.jpg, Sands Bridge North Side

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Double-Arch Sandstone Bridge Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts Bridges completed in 1735 Buildings and structures in Methuen, Massachusetts Bridges in Essex County, Massachusetts Methuen, Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places in Methuen, Massachusetts Stone arch bridges in the United States

History

Current status

See also

References