Hazleton Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Bridge History and Significance

Although the Commissioners of Knox and Gibson Counties advertised their intent to build a bridge here as early as 1913, the current structure was designed by the State Highway Department and contracted to the Stein Construction Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for $238, 767. The twenty-nine spans cover 2,003' upon a concrete substructure and connect with 5,000' of approach embankment. NORTH SPANS: Twenty-one 41' spans of six concrete beams each adjoin the embankment from the north, and are followed by two 84' all-riveted Warren pony spans of seven panels each. Diagonals and verticals are fabricated from heavy angles riveted to stay plates. I floor-beams, riveted to gussets above the lower chord, carry the concrete deck and its 20'4" roadway. SOUTH SPANS: South of the twenty-three approaches come four all-riveted Parker through trusses which cross the river in 198' spans of eleven panels each. Intermediate verticals of tightly laced channels bound most panels; the top chord angle is varied for each. Heavy angles (decreasing in size toward midspan) are riveted to stay plates and serve as all the diagonals. Most are angled inward from the top to the bottom panel point; the three central panels also use cross diagonals as counters. Although girder floor-beams are riveted to gussets above the lower chord, the through trusses still allow 14'9" of vertical clearance. Two Warren pony spans, similar to those north of the Parkers, complete the structure on the south. Pictured in the Engineering News in 1924 and presented as "one of the longest highway structures in the Middle West," this was one of Indiana's most advertised bridges. It is tied for the longest remaining Parker structure in the state and is among the longest overall. The structure appears to retain its original members, including its decoratively latticed guardrails. Not included in 1996 BIR. References United Construction and Engineering Corporation, Bridge Inspection Study and Report: Knox County (Indianapolis, 1972). Associated Engineering Consultants, Bridge Reinspection Study and Report: Knox County (Nashville, 1977, 1981). United Consulting Engineers & Architects, Bridge Inventory Report: Knox County (Indianapolis, 2002). Lowell E. Morrison, Bridge Inspection Survey and Report of Gibson County (Princeton, 1974, 3 vols.). United Consulting Engineers, Inc., Bridge Reinspection Report for Gibson County (Indianapolis, 1980, 2 vols.). Engineering News, LXIX, (16 Jan. 1913), Construction News, 34; LXXXVIII, (23 Mar. 1922), Construction News, 127; LXXXVIII, (11 May 1922), Construction News, 232; LXXXXII, (3 Jan. 1924), 19.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes