Vermont Listed Historic Winooski River Bridge for Free
Owners of large properties or organizations may claim the 1928 bridge, but they must handle relocation costs.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Auto Parts
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The Vermont Agency of Transportation has listed a 359-foot historic bridge over the Winooski River on Craigslist. The state is offering the bridge for free to avoid demolition ahead of an infrastructure replacement project.
Why it matters
Federal Highway Administration regulations mandate that state agencies advertise historic bridges at no cost before they can be demolished. This policy aims to preserve historical infrastructure by offering it to parties willing to manage the logistical costs of moving and installing the structure.
The 1928-manufactured bridge spans 359 feet and is currently listed on Craigslist for a 30-day window. Interested parties must coordinate the relocation and the building of new foundation abutments entirely at their own expense.
The players
Vermont Agency of Transportation
The state entity responsible for managing infrastructure, public safety, and compliance with federal highway mandates.
Federal Highway Administration
The national agency that sets funding regulations and historic preservation requirements for state bridge projects.
The details
To claim the structure, interested parties must contact the Vermont Agency of Transportation directly through the Craigslist posting. Because the bridge is slated for replacement in 2027, the successful recipient must take responsibility for the complex engineering task of moving the steel structure and preparing a new site. The bridge is currently situated between Burlington and Winooski.
Timeline
The bridge was originally manufactured in 1928.
The Craigslist listing went live on September 21, 2026.
The listing will expire after 30 days on October 21, 2026.
A major infrastructure project and traffic disruption begins in 2027.
The Home Front
This listing reflects a mandatory preservation process for aging state infrastructure that is nearing its service lifecycle. It aligns with federal regulations that prioritize recycling historic materials before proceeding with planned modern construction projects.
If you are managing a large-scale land project and require a historic bridge, you must contact the agency via their Craigslist listing before the October 21, 2026 deadline. Consult with a licensed professional engineer to evaluate the site requirements and feasibility of relocating a structure of this scale.
The takeaway
The state is required to offload this bridge for free to comply with federal historic preservation laws. Prospective takers should review the Craigslist posting and prepare for the significant financial commitment involved in bridge relocation and structural foundation work.
Further reading
You can find more guidance on infrastructure and automotive-related equipment at Auto Parts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Seven Days.
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