Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Luskin: Bridge Etiquette

http://www.vpr.net//audio/programs/56/2013/02/Luskin-0212 Bridge Etiquette_021213_Deborah Luskin Dummerston Covered Bridge.mp3

(Host) Novelist, essayist and educator Deborah Lee Luskin had time to think about the civic value of Vermont's singlelane bridges while waiting to cross one.

(Luskin) In order to drive almost anywhere from my house, I have to cross one of three single-lane bridges. To head west, I cross the Williamsville Covered Bridge. The current bridge was recently rebuilt, after much civic debate.There were good arguments for replacing the antique bridge with a modern, two-lane span that would accommodate largertrucks.But in the end, the aesthetic appeal, the traffic calming, and the money for historic preservation prevailed. It's a very short bridge on a secondary road with a stop sign at one entrance. There's rarely a wait to cross.

More frequently, I head south to Brattleboro, and cross the cement arch bridge that connects my village to the state highway,two miles away. This bridge was built in 1934 and is now in terrible shape.

The day before Irene, the cement arch bridge was rate done of the worst in the state. But the day after the storm it was still standing. For three weeks - while a newer bridge on Route 30 was out of commission - this bridge was the single, tenuous,connection between Brattleboro and points north.

During the morning and evening commutes, traffic flows either toward Brattleboro or back again. There are clear sight lines from all approaches, and drivers easily figure out whose turn it is to cross next.

The third bridge is the Dummerston Covered Bridge,which I cross when I head east, and here taking turns is more problematic. This is a long, single-lane bridge that connects the West River Valley to the Connecticut River Valley - where the interstate is. The bridge handles a fair bit of traffic that can backup while motorists each take their turn. Cars approach it from four directions, and sight lines aren't the best.

Most motorists do the polite thing, and alternate one from each side, even when traffic is backed up. The good humor with which drivers take turns is remarkable. They more frequently flash high beams to give someone else a turn than honk in irritation. Only rarely will two cars enter from opposite sides at the same time, so that one has to back up.

A friend recently complained that even though alternating one car from each side is polite, it isn't efficient.People on both sides have to wait longer when cars take turns. Not only does this increase the wait, he argues, but it also increases carbon emissions. It would be more environmentally sound if everyone crossed from one side, before cars from the other took their turn.

I'm sure my friend is right.

But every time I have to wait my turn at this bridge,I'm encouraged to see strangers on opposites shores work together.The extra fumes from drivers figuring out how to negotiate their turn to cross the river that divides them from their destinations don't seem so bad when compared to the toxic fumes emitted from either side of the aisle in Congress. Hard liners from both parties might benefit from a short driving tour through the Dummerston Covered Bridge.

Deborah Lee Luskin is a writer, speaker and educator.
Latest Stories