Home

Rip Rap Road Bridge

   

Advertisements:

Promotions:   Chicago's Bridges   By Nathan Holth, author of HistoricBridges.org, this book provides a discussion of the history and virtual tour of Chicago's movable bridges. Dozens of photos.   Available Now Direct From The Publisher! The 5th Annual Historic Bridge Weekend will be held in Iowa and organized by The BridgeHunter's Chronicles this year from August 9th through the 11th. Details are available here.

Bridge Documented: May 5, 2006

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

View Photos and Videos

View and Link To Maps

Key Facts

	Bridge Name	Facility Carried / Feature Intersected	Location	Structure Type	Construction Date and Builder/Engineer
	Rip Rap Road Bridge	Rip Rap Road (Great Miami Recreational Trail) Over Great Miami River	Dayton: Montgomery County, Ohio	Metal 14 Panel Rivet-Connected Pennsylvania Through Truss, Fixed	1924 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown

Technical Facts

Main Span Length	Structure Length	Roadway Width	Main Spans	NBI Number
300 Feet (91.4 Meters)	306 Feet (93.3 Meters)	18 Feet (5.5 Meters)	1	5760577

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

Built 1923-1924 over Great Miami River, this bridge once served an old alignment of Rip Rap Road, which crossed this bridge, continued south, and apparently crossed the river again on what was in 2006 a modern galvanized Bailey truss bridge. Rip Rap Road was realigned in 2002 and now it runs along the east side of the river, bypassing this bridge and the Bailey truss. This bridge's tall trusses and long span make it a stunning example of the complex Pennsylvania truss configuration. Characteristic of bridges built in the later portions of the truss bridge era, the members are fairly massive, and the connections are riveted. There is extensive v-lacing and lattice on the structure, which sits on concrete abutments. There are roller bearings present at the west end of the structure.

This bridge however has been beautifully rehabilitated for non-motorized traffic, and it now serves as part of the Great Miami Recreation Trail bike path that runs along Rip Rap Road north of the bridge. In 2006 the path ended at the bridge, so the bridge was more of an attraction of the path rather than a connection. Apparently the bridge was rehabilitated at the time mainly because of the way that the funding was provided for making the Rip Rap Road bike trail, and as of 2006 there were currently no plans to extend the trail beyond the bridge. Regardless, the bridge is a significant historic bridge that could provide for the expansion of the trail, and in either case is a major historic attraction that is a destination in itself.

I am extremely happy that the bridge is preserved, but it seems odd that they would restore it if they did not intend to continue to bike path over to the other side. I am happy for a change to see a bridge with historic and aesthetic value being restored just for the sake of preserving the bridge, even if it doesn't serve a purpose. The bridge itself is a purpose to preserve it in my opinion, and it appears that the folks who manage the trail funding agree with me.

Photos from an older Historic Bridge Inventory show that this bridge had hub guard style lattice railings. These are not present on the bridge today. It is unclear why they were removed. When preserving a historic bridge, adding modern railings to protect the truss or meet pedestrian safety needs is acceptable. However, the original railings should always be left in place behind the added railings. There is no reason to remove them, and removing them reduces the historic integrity of the bridge.

Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory Setting/Context The bridge carries a bike path over a stream in a wooded setting. Physical Description The 1 span, 300'-long, rivet-connected Pennsylvania thru truss bridge is composed of built-up members. Integrity Bypassed and rehabilitated for bike path use in 2002. Replaced floorbeams, stringer, deck, railings, and minor repairs to trusses. Abutments replaced and bridge deck-level raised several feet. Summary of Significance The 1923 rivet-connected Pennsylvania thru truss bridge is a long-span example of its type/design that was rehabilitated without adverse effect (SHPO letter 1994). It is eligible from the prior ODOT inventory. The Pennsylvania truss type/design, also sometimes referred to as a Pettit truss, is a subdivided Pratt truss with polygonal upper chord that was developed in the 1870s for use as a long-span bridge with heavy locomotives. The Pennsylvania Railroad popularized the form (hence the name), and Henry Pettit, an engineer in the employ of the railroad, became associated with it. It was not, however, used exclusively by the Pennsylvania RR being a very popular railroad and later highway truss design. Lighter pin-connected Pennsylvania truss highway bridges were built from the 1880s to 1910s, and the design also made the transition to heavier, rivet-connected designs of the mid 20th century. The truss's main advantages are an economical use of material provided by the sloped upper chord and the added stiffness provided by the substruts and ties in longer spans. Span lengths of up to 300 ft. are not uncommon. Ohio has eight identified examples dating from 1888 to 1939. Post-1900 examples are less significant than earlier examples, but they may illustrate important refinements, such as the use of riveted connections or rolled section members. Justification The bridge is one of over 40 extant riveted thru truss bridges of all designs built between 1904 and 1959. This example is representative of the population and has moderate significance. There are also many riveted thru truss bridges servicing the many rail lines in the state. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Photos and Videos: Rip Rap Road Bridge

Available Photo Galleries and Videos

Click on a thumbnail or gallery name below to visit that particular photo gallery. If videos are available, click on a video name to view and/or download that particular video.

 

	Bridge Photo-Documentation Original / Full Size Photos	A collection of overview and detail photos. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution.
	Bridge Photo-Documentation Mobile Optimized Gallery	A collection of overview and detail photos. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem (dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below. Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer

View and Link To Maps

 

Home

Top