LB2016.13.310

LB2016.13.310

Image of the Two Cent Bridge (originally called the Ticonic [sic] Foorbridge and also known as the Tuppenny Bridge), which spans the Kennebec River between the city of Waterville and the town of Winslow, Maine. It was built in 1903, replacing an earlier structure. "This bridge is a very large example of a suspension foot bridge. Suspension foot bridges were built throughout the United States as a solution for situations where pedestrians needed to access a location, but vehicular access was not needed. Due to their design, suspension foot bridges tend to move quite noticeably under live load (people walking on the bridge) which has led to these bridges often being called "swinging bridges". This bridge is composed of an impressive 400 foot main span. The eastern end has a steel stringer approach span and the western end has a pony truss approach span. This bridge was built to provide workers in Waterville with access to a Hollingsworth and Whitney Company factory. The company was a paper producer. The Two Cent Bridge's name comes from the toll that was originally charged to use the bridge by the owner of the bridge, the Taconic Bridge Company. Tolls ended at the bridge in 1960 when the bridge was given to the city of Waterville. The shell of a toll building, either a restored or reconstructed structure, remains in place at the western end of the bridge." --Historicbridges.org