Once, Maine boasted over 120 covered bridges, but that number has dwindled, with only nine still standing as of last week. Now, there are only eight and a half, following the incident involving an overweight vehicle attempting to cross one of them. The bridge collapsed under the vehicle’s weight, causing the driver, truck, and cargo to fall into the water below.
Babb’s Bridge in Gorham, Maine, is home to the state’s oldest remaining covered bridges, with a history dating back to 1840. This wooden structure has a weight limit of three tons. The driver of a Ford F-750 believed he could cross, but these trucks can weigh more than 9,000 pounds without any cargo, and with a full load, their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ranges from 26,000 to 37,000 pounds.
Compounding the issue, the driver was carrying crushed gravel, as reported by the Gorham Police Department. Even without any cargo, an older F-Series truck would have exceeded the bridge’s weight capacity. While one may read weight limit signs, it seems the driver misunderstood the implications by continuing on his route.
Though there may be no weight limit signs directly on the bridge, there are visible signs on the roadway. These large, clear markers specify the bridge’s height (10 feet), width (single lane), and maximum weight (three tons). They are strategically placed on Hurricane Road before reaching the bridge crossing, making them hard to overlook.
Images indicate that the bridge collapsed almost instantly under the truck’s weight. The driver sustained minor injuries but managed to leave the vehicle without assistance. Fortunately, there were no other injuries reported, as the area is frequented by swimmers and kayakers.
Originally constructed in the 1800s, Babb’s Bridge served for over a century to assist crossings over the Presumpscot River. It was tragically destroyed by arsonists in 1973, but a faithful replica was reconstructed using historically accurate materials and reopened the same year. Unfortunately, this bridge now requires partial rebuilding once again.
The Maine Department of Transportation announced that repairs are not expected to be completed until next spring, as sourcing the necessary lumber to preserve the bridge’s historical accuracy will take several months. Meanwhile, additional repairs will be conducted while Babb’s Bridge remains closed. While no estimates for the repair costs have been provided, the truck company’s owner has offered to contribute to the reconstruction efforts. The incident is currently under investigation by local authorities.
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