Root Road Covered Bridge

About Root Road Covered Bridge

The Root Road Covered Bridge is a 114-foot Town lattice bridge crossing the Ashtabula River. Built in 1868, it is one of the oldest covered bridges in Ashtabula County, constructed just three years after the end of the Civil War.

History of Root Road Covered Bridge

The bridge was built in 1868, the same year as the Harpersfield, Middle Road, and Doyle Road bridges, marking a significant period of covered bridge construction in Ashtabula County. During rehabilitation in 1982-83, the bridge was raised 18 inches and new laminated girders and a center concrete pier were added to strengthen the structure for modern traffic loads.

Architecture and Design

The Root Road Bridge features Town lattice truss construction, characterized by the diagonal lattice pattern that gives this design its name. The addition of a center pier during renovation demonstrates how historic bridges can be reinforced while maintaining their historic character and continued usefulness.

Visiting Root Road Covered Bridge

The bridge is located at 4680 Root Road. It is part of the northern covered bridge route in Ashtabula County, accessible from Route 7 when entering Ohio from Pennsylvania. The bridge offers a fine example of post-Civil War covered bridge construction and is a popular stop on the self-guided covered bridge tour.