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| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date and Builder/Engineer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! |
Sumner Avenue Bridge
Iowa Bridge Number 6140 | Sumner Avenue Over West Fork Des Moines River | Humboldt: Humboldt County, Iowa | Concrete Closed Spandrel Deck Arch, Fixed | 1920 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown |
| Technical Facts |
| Main Span Length | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | NBI Number |
| 82 Feet (25 Meters) | 297 Feet (90.5 Meters) | 25.3 Feet (7.7 Meters) | 3 | 6140 |
This bridge is a beautiful three span arch bridge. The bridge features attractive design such as inset rectangles, balustrade railings that curve outward at the ends, and piers that blend into the shape of the arch spandrel and are designed to line up with the larger railing posts on the bridge. As such, the bridge is a beautiful structure that represents a form of bridge that was commonly built in the 1920s in urban settings. With one major and glaring exception, the bridge retains good historic integrity. The glaring exception is that the original railings on the northern side of the bridge were destroyed, apparently to make way for a sidewalk. Ugly cyclone fencing sits in their place. However that being said, the south side which retains original railings is the easily accessible side of the bridge and on that side the bridge is very photogenic and photos taken there do not even show the alteration to the bridge.
HistoricBridges.org recommends that this bridge be restored for continued vehicular use. If needed, the bridge could be widened on the north side. Since the original railings are already missing, this would be the best side to do this on. Also, the ugly railings on the north side could be replaced with new concrete balustrades that simulate the original railings. Many states have found ways to build new concrete railings that meet AASHTO requirements yet also have a historic balustrade design.
Apparently, the city of Humboldt does not recognize the value of this historic bridge both as a piece of community heritage as well as an aesthetic asset, since this bridge is apparently slated for demolition and replacement. Hopefully they will reconsider and develop a comprehensive rehabilitation that preserves this historic bridge.
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Bridge Photo-Documentation
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Bridge Photo-Documentation
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