Strong, a Mussul Unsquit village

Built in 1856, this bridge across the Sandy River served the community for sixty-five years.

Crossing the bridge over the Sandy River took you into the "village" on Lower Main Street.

The towers supporting the wire cables of this bridge were constructed atop mortared rubble abutments. The towers consisted of four piers framed and braced to support the load.

Built in 1857, this bridge remained in service until 1922 when it became apparent that its construction could not withstand increased motor truck and cargo traffic.

One of the most photographed structures in Strong, this bridge across the Sandy River just south of the village served the town from 1857 to 1922. It was replaced by a single span iron structure.

Lester Royal Lewis (1888-1974), the local pharmacist, crosses the suspension bridge in his auto on his way toward Farmington.

A truck crosses over the Sandy River on the suspension bridge in Strong. The bridge is flexing under the load of this light cargo truck, a common sight with this type of bridge.

A truck loaded with wooden shipping boxes proved to be too much for the wire suspension bridge and crashed through to the riverbank below.

The occupants escaped serious injury when this cargo truck from F. E. Merrill Lumber of Turner, enroute to Forster's toothpick mill with wooden shipping boxes, crashed through the deck of the wire suspension bridge over the Sandy River. The truck, owned by Frank E. Merrill and occupied by Leroy J. Merrill and Harold Andrews, all of Turner, luckily came to rest upright on the riverbank.

After a cargo truck broke through the bridge deck, workers repaired the damage to the suspension bridge in Strong. With weight limits the bridge continued service for six more years.

In preparation of replacing it, a new south abutment is laid of concrete under the old bridge, allowing it to still be used. The sheathing has been removed from the north tower, exposing its structure.

A one-lane floating bridge was built across the Sandy River about a mile downstream to detour traffic during construction when the old bridge was removed.

Two explorers survey the top of the wing of the new bridge abutment in Strong. Given time for the concrete to properly cure, the old bridge will then be removed and construction will begin on the new iron bridge.

It was necessary to construct a workers' walk bridge between the Sandy River's banks during the removal of the old bridge in Strong and the early stages of construction of the new bridge.

Supported by temporary vertical poles beneath, the structural skeleton of the iron bridge stretches between the abutments on the banks of the Sandy River in Strong. The steam crane was used to lift structural members into position for the iron workers to attach them. Temporary planking provided a way for workers to cross from end to end, eliminating the need for the walk bridge beneath.

Concrete was wheeled in carts along paths of wood planking to its destination where it was poured into the forms for the bridge decking during the new bridge construction over the Sandy River in Strong.

A view of the iron bridge in Strong during its first winter looking south.

View of the bridge spanning the Sandy River in Strong, ca. 1950. The iron bridge, opened to the public November 22, 1922, was quickly proven to be wide enough to accomodate two automobiles, as the first two vehicles raced across it. One was driven by a lady and the other by a gentleman. There is still debate as to who was the winner.

In Strong, though never officially named, residents often referred to the north approach to the bridge over the Sandy River as "bridge hill." This little section of Lower Main Street could be challenging in the winter, with a little ice on the road and the curve at the end of the bridge.

After more than 40 years of service the iron bridge crossing the Sandy River in Strong had to be replaced. Though it appeared to be standing firm, years of winter deck treatment with sand and sodium chloride (road salt) corroded the lower structural steel beyond repair.

Construction of a triple-span bridge of concrete and steel girders was commenced. This bridge would be supported on two concrete piers set in the riverbed and abutments set well into the riverbanks on driven steel pilings.

Bridge construction in Strong over the Sandy River viewed from the south proceeds, with abutment footer visible in foreground and support piers in the riverbed. The iron bridge is still in use for traffic.

Bridge construction over the Sandy River in Strong progresses in 1965. Steel girders were laid in position on piers and abutments. Forms were in place for the concrete abutment caps to anchor the girders. Traffic was still routed over old bridge.

The tri-span bridge over the Sandy River in Strong was opened to the public August 22, 1965. The old iron bridge was not removed for some time after the opening.

Completed in August 1965, this bridge began the latest era in Sandy River crossings at Strong.