Historic bridge spans Vermilion River

WAKEMAN — Working to convert the former Penn Central railroad to a multi-use trail stretching across the northern part of Huron County, Firelands Rails to Trails completed a section with the Bruce L. Chapin Bridge in Wakeman earlier this year. The bridge, built in 1872, spans 273 feet across and 80 feet above the Vermilion River. Featuring a double-arch stone design, the structure equates to nearly 2,600 cubic yards of masonry. The historic bridge runs parallel to the U.S. 20 bridge. Built in 1872, the Bruce L. Chapin Bridge double-arch structure spans 273 feet across and 80 feet above the Vermilion River in Wakeman. According to a brochure on the organization's website, in early 2012, Firelands Rails to Trials began planning to retrofit the bridge to be included along the North Coast Inland Trail. After litter, debris and organic matter were removed, the volunteers discovered that the bridge had a near perfectly smooth, 11 foot wide sandstone surface. To install guardrails for walkers and bikers safety, the organization received a $45,000 grant in 2014 from the Ohio Capital Fund to finish the project. With new wood railing put in this year, visitors using the North Coast Inland Trial can travel across the Vermilion River in Wakeman on the historic Bruce L. Chapin Bridge. The retrofitting was completed in July of this year, getting the Firelands Rails to Trails closer to their goal of spanning the North Coast Inland Trail across Huron County. Firelands Rails to Trails is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to maintaining and completing the Inland Trail in the county. In the rain and mist of Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, the Bruce L. Chapin bridge offers a birds-eye view of the Vermilion River in Wakeman. Upon the Bruce L. Chapin Bridge, people can view the modern U.S. 20 bridge and the Wakeman Low Head Dam on the Vermilion River. The historic double-arched railroad bridge, named after Bruce L. Chapin, carries cyclists, pedestrians and others across the Vermilion River in Wakeman on the North Coast Inland Trial. During restoration, Wakeman resident Kenny Tkach removed piles of soil and organic material to reveal a nearly perfectly flat surface.