Rocks Village Bridge in Massachusetts Remains Oldest Working Drawbridge in America Since 1883
The Rocks Village Bridge, connecting Haverhill and West Newbury, Massachusetts, continues to operate as the oldest working drawbridge in America. Its 158-foot swing span, along with a 71-foot pony truss, dates back to 1883. The bridge's unique feature is its original hand-operated mechanism, designed by engineer David H. Andrews of Boston Bridge Works, which allowed a single person to turn the span by hand in minutes. This movable section rotates horizontally to clear the Merrimack River for boat traffic. While parts of the bridge have been replaced or repaired over the decades, including the addition of a 175-foot Pennsylvania through truss in 1895 and three new steel spans in 1914, the 1883 swing span remains functional for both vehicular and marine use. Federal regulations still require the bridge to open for vessels with at least two hours' notice. The bridge also accommodates road traffic, though it has a maximum posted clearance of 12 feet 6 inches, which was tested by a truck collision in March 2022...
