The Transportation Heritage Trail

The City of Keene, NH is adding additional sections to the existing Cheshire Rail Trail System. The newest proposed section of the trail will pay homage to the area’s evolution of transportation technology as the Transportation Heritage Trail (THT). This website is intended to highlight the collaborative work of the City of Keene and Pathways for Keene in creating additional trail connections, parking opportunities, and accessibility improvements to the existing trail system while honoring Keene's rich history.

Local historic bridges and transportation systems will form the context of the educational signage and interpretive displays that will be set at key locations. This proposed section of the THT will begin at the end of previously constructed Industrial Heritage Trail (IHT) located at Eastern Avenue and Chapman Road which celebrates Keene’s history as an industrial and manufacturing hub. The terminus of the proposed THT section will be located at Joslin Station Road where the City’s trail network will connect to the existing Cheshire Trail through Swanzey, NH. 

The total length of the THT, from Eastern Ave to the Town Line, will be 1.1 miles.

An existing vehicular parking area and trailhead sits at the junction of Chapman Road, Eastern Avenue and the Cheshire Rail Trail. This trailhead forms the connection between the Cheshire Rail Trail and the new Transportation Heritage Trail. Interpretive signage and an informational kiosk at this location will assist visitors in wayfinding and educate the community about Keene’s rich transportation history and the unique bridges along its route. Improvements to the parking area, a new crosswalk across Eastern Avenue and signage will help to establish the site as a true “gateway” into the Transportation Heritage Trail.

Potential Improvements

The major feature of this project will be the adaptive reuse of 3 historic bridges, two bridges will be completely removed from their current locations to a new part of the THT where they will be installed, retaining historical features while adding current, safety elements for trail users. To the west, the historically significant Robert J. Prowse Memorial Bridge will cross NH Route 101. In the center, the trail will feature the existing Stone Arch Bridge, which will be rehabilitated with updated safety features such as historically accurate and appropriate railings and fencing along the embankments leading to the bridge. The City proposes re-using our own Island Street Bridge -- currently used as a vehicle crossing at Island Street over the Ashuelot River -- to carry trail users over Swanzey Factory Road.

History

A native of Concord, NH, Robert Prowse was a lead bridge designer for the New Hampshire State Highway Department. During his career, Prowse gained national recognition for his advancement of the use of welded steel girder bridges, as opposed to riveting, as the preferred method for steel member design. Prowse designed the Ash Street Bridge in Londonderry, NH, which opened to traffic in 1963 and won a merit award for short span bridges from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1964. The bridge was one of the first examples of all-welded bridge design in New Hampshire and was the first known example of a steel rigid frame bridge on the United States Interstate or Primary road systems. In March 1973, the State of New Hampshire honored Prowse posthumously for his service by changing the name of bridge to the Robert J. Prowse Memorial Bridge. The bridge was carefully dismantled between December 2018 and January 2019 and was stored for future use. The City of Keene purchased the bridge for $1 in April 2021.

Existing Conditions

Proposed Improvements

Several steps must be completed to prepare the site for the Prowse Bridge. By undertaking these tasks prior to the actual bridge move, the project can leverage a variety of funding opportunities and allow us to build project momentum. The first task will be to catalog the existing stone abutment and remove it from the site. At the same time, the existing slopes will be regraded to make room for the future bridge. New abutments will be cast, and the Prowse Bridge will be relocated to its new home. New pre-cast concrete decking will be installed, and railings added. Another distinctive feature of the original construction was the coffered concrete wing walls. Although it is not possible to relocate the former wing walls, the City will incorporate this aesthetic element into the new location to the extent practical.

Prowse Bridge Before & After

Drag the arrow on the image below to see before and after.

History

Completed in 1847, the Stone Arch Bridge was considered one of the finest and most daring arched bridge spans in the United States. The bridge is by far the single most impressive structure along the right-of-way of the Cheshire Railroad. At 48 feet high, the arch is immense in scale and in workmanship. Its large voissoirs (the stones that form the barrel of the vault) and the stones that form its spandrel walls and wing walls are all hand-hammered to create tight joints, yet are deliberately left with rough faces to enhance the sense of magnitude and ruggedness in the huge structure. This bridge was an engineering triumph in its day, and remains a monument in American transportation history. The arched bridge retains integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

Existing Conditions

Recent restoration and preservation projects have improved the structure, drainage, and pathway over the bridge for pedestrian use. However, pedestrian safety improvements are needed. These improvements include ornamental railings that retain historical aesthetics while matching modern local railings throughout Keene and other areas of the Cheshire Trail. A timber post fence is also proposed along the high ridge to guide trail users away from the steep drop off on either side of the trail.

Potential Improvements

These improvements include ornamental railings that retain historical aesthetics while matching modern local railings throughout Keene and other areas of the Cheshire Trail. A timber post fence is also proposed along the high ridge to guide trail users away from the steep drop off on either side of the trail.

Drag the arrow on the image below to see before and after.

Stone Arch Bridge Before & After

Drag the arrow on the image below to see before and after.

History

The bridge at Island Street was intended to be a temporary fix following the collapse of the original bridge. While the city councilors and residents debated what to do, a "Bailey bridge" was installed in 1979. Named for Sir Donald Bailey, of Britain’s Royal Engineers, Baily Bridges were designed during World War II to be built quickly, as Allied armies moved forward, yet still be strong enough to hold the weight of tanks and heavy equipment. The bridges were so strong, many were left in place for years until permanent bridges could be built. Keene’s bridge is the oldest still-used Bailey bridge in New Hampshire, and probably one of the oldest continually used Baileys in the world.

The existing Island Street Bridge cannot carry the current vehicular demand and is planned to be removed and replaced. The City of Keene hopes to reuse this bridge equipment as the trail overpass bridge at Swanzey Factory Road.

Existing Conditions

The “Baily Bridge” is currently installed for traffic on Island Street crossing over the Ashuelot River. The most recent updates to the bridge were the bridge deck replacement in 2004. The City of Keene hopes to re-purpose the main truss components of this bridge to provide trail connections over a road instead of an at grade crossing with steep-sloped approaches.

Potential Improvements

The Island Street Bridge will carefully dismantled as part of the upcoming Winchester Street Reconstruction Project. The Truss components will be stored for future, reconstruction over Swanzey Factory Road.

Baily Bridge Before & After

Feeling inspired? Please donate to the project  here 

 https://pathwaysforkeene.org/donate/ 

Don't forget to share the project with your friends and neighbors in Keene!