Mr. Robert Allen

Robert Allen, Brownsville resident championing the preservation of the bridge writes: "Joe - Unfortunately, no funds were available immediately to replace the covered bridge; so we had to proceed with a poured concrete bridge that is currently under construction and should be in use by Thanksgiving.
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Mr. Allen had been working with the Vermont Covered Bridge Society in finding funds to preserve the bridge when the span was felled by a wind storm October 6.
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Brownsville, Vt. October 6 - Robert Allen, Vermont Covered Bridge Society (VCBS) Life Member reports that the Smith Covered Bridge (45-14-17) in Brownsville was taken down by a micro-burst. The bridge collapsed in three sections; the two trusses, and the roof. The wreckage is blocking the roadway, a self-supporting bridge-deck rated for 30 tons, and has spilled into the stream. A crane will be needed to clear the road, Allen said.
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The roadway is sole access to 17 households for emergency vehicles, said Allen. However residents are opening an abandoned trail to the highway.

A few weeks ago Mr. Allen requested assistance in finding a grant to the restore the bridge, which was in need of renovation. A VCBS team began working on the problem of finding funds

Several in the community served by the bridge would still like to have the covered bridge, Allen said.

Robert Allen, Brownsville resident championing the preservation of the bridge wrote November 5: ". . . unfortunately, no funds were available immediately to replace the covered bridge; so we had to proceed with a poured concrete bridge that is currently under construction and should be in use by Thanksgiving.
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Mr. Allen had been working with the Vermont Covered Bridge Society in finding funds to preserve the bridge when the span was felled by a wind storm October 6. Allen, VCBS Life Member reported that the Smith Covered Bridge in Brownsville was taken down by a micro-burst. The bridge collapsed in three sections; the two trusses, and the roof. The wreckage blocked the roadway, a self-supporting bridge-deck rated for 30 tons, and spilled into the stream. A crane was used to clear the road. The downed bridge was sole access to 17 households for emergency vehicles, said Allen. The residents opened an abandoned trail to the highway. Several in the community served by the bridge would still like to have the covered bridge, Allen said.