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Bender Bridge

Ficke Bridge

Bender Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: August 2, 2007

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Bender Bridge Road (TR-504) Over Elk Lick Creek
Location
Rural: Somerset County, Pennsylvania: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1885 By Builder/Contractor: Penn Bridge Company of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Rehabilitation Date
1993
Main Span Length
45.0 Feet (13.7 Meters)
Structure Length
48.0 Feet (14.6 Meters)
Roadway Width
13 Feet (3.96 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
557224050430670

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge no longer exists!

Bridge Status: Destroyed and collapsed by a crash caused by a careless driver in September 3, 2020!

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

View Report On Collapse of This Bridge

This small three panel pony truss is noteworthy as a relatively old and documented example of work done by an important Pennsylvania bridge company, the Penn Bridge Company. It does feature some alterations. Even so, this bridge is considered, even by the conservative Pennsylvania Historic Bridge Inventory, to be a noteworthy structure.

Often, historic bridges are not located in areas that are designated or considered potential historic districts. This bridge is an exception, and is located in a potential historic district. This should increase the importance of considering preservation for this bridge.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 48'-long, 3 panel, pin-connected, Pratt pony truss bridge was built in 1885 by the Penn Bridge Works of Beaver Falls, PA. It is supported on ashlar abutments with flared, stepped wingwalls. The substructure is concrete capped. In 1993 the bridge was rehabilitated, at which time the bearings were encased in concrete, and 2 inclined endposts and 1 vertical member were repaired with bolted splice plates. In spite of the modifications, because of its age and documentation, the bridge is significant as an early example of a pin-connected Pratt pony truss bridge. It is also significant because it is a contributing resource to a potential rural historic district.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries 1 lane of an unimproved township road on a horizontal curve over Elk Lick Creek in a wooded area surrounded by active farms near the village of Summit Mills. The bridge is located in, and contributes to the character of, a potential rural historic district around Summit Mills with a period of significance through 1947. The area consists of fields, pastures, and high meadows. There are mid- to late-19th century structures including a sawmill, church, and schoolhouse at Summit Mills.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Bender Bridge

 

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Bridge Photo-Documentation

A collection of overview and detail photos. This photo gallery contains a combination of Original Size photos and Mobile Optimized photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Maps and Links: Bender Bridge

This historic bridge has been demolished. This map is shown for reference purposes only.

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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