HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Kelly Road Bridge

Canal Road Bridge

Kelly Road Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: July 1, 2006, August 21, 2010, and October 1, 2021

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Canal Road (TR-388, Kelly Road) Over Shenango River
Location
Sharpsville: Mercer County, Pennsylvania: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1897 By Builder/Contractor: Penn Bridge Company of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
179.0 Feet (54.6 Meters)
Structure Length
187.0 Feet (57 Meters)
Roadway Width
16 Feet (4.88 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
437303038823040

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge no longer exists!

Bridge Status: Demolished in December 2021: Only 2 panels of the truss will be relocated and preserved nearby as an exhibit!

This bridge is an eleven panel pin connected structure. While the configuration is listed in the Historic Bridge Inventory as a Parker, because it has five angles making up the top chord/end post, the bridge is actually a more rare variation of the Parker known as a Camelback truss. There is extensive v-lacing and lattice on the structure. The deck of the bridge is a metal grate. The bridge retains original builder plaques. An additional bridge was added many years ago next to this bridge to form a one-way couplet of bridges. This eliminates any issues that might be seen with having a one-lane bridge. This bridge is a beautiful structure, and is near to historic canal locks and as such, preserving this bridge makes sense. This bridge has been closed to traffic due to deterioration however. With a one-way couplet arrangement already in place, a project to rehabilitate the historic truss and continue this function is logical. However when it comes to historic bridges in Pennsylvania, logic is often thrown out the window, and that is certainly the case here. This bridge is instead slated for demolition and replacement. The only positive is that the two end panels will be salvaged for display in the nearby park. While this is better than most forms of mitigation, it would have been better to move and preserve the entire bridge. To say nothing of preserving the bridge in place for pedestrian use, given the park setting and trails around the bridge this would have been an excellent choice.

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

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 1897, pin connected, single span, 187'-long, Parker thru truss bridge is supported on ashlar abutments with flared wingwalls. The polygonal upper chords are built up box sections, the verticals are toe-out channels with lacing, and the diagonals and lower chords are eye bars. The bridge is historically and technologically significant as an early and complete pin connected, Parker thru truss bridge. The technology is rare in Pennsylvania. Approximately 15 pin connected Parker truss highway bridges survive statewide, and only three date from before 1900. Adding to its significance is its association with the Penn Bridge Company, a prolific regional fabricator of metal truss bridges.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries northbound traffic at the west entrance to the Sharpsville Area Recreation Park, created at the site of Lock No. 10 of the mid 19th century Erie Canal Extension. The abandoned and dewatered canal and stone canal lock chamber is located a short distance south of the bridge. A parallel 2-span, post-1956 stringer bridge carries southbound traffic.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Information From www.mercercotrussbridges.com Demolition Mitigation Website

Discussion of Bridge

The bridge now carries northbound traffic only, while a parallel, two-span, post-1956 stringer bridge carries southbound traffic. The bridge crosses the Shenango River at the east entrance to the Sharpsville Canal Lock Recreation Park, which has been created at the site of Lock No. 10 of the mid-19th century Erie Canal Extension. The abandoned and dewatered canal and stone canal lock chamber is located a short distance southwest of the bridge.

The Penn Bridge Company of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was organized in 1868 as T.B. White & Sons. At the time, the firm constructed wooden bridges. The plant was initially established in New Brighton; it was moved across the Beaver River to Beaver Falls in 1878. In 1887, the firm reorganized and incorporated as the Penn Bridge Company, producers of wrought iron, steel, and combination bridges; iron substructures, buildings, and roof trusses; and plate, box, and lattice girders and architectural ironwork. In the 1890s, the Penn Bridge Company's output averaged 5,000 long tons, ranking it as a small bridge fabricator. The Penn Bridge Company remained independent of the American Bridge Company, and continued to grow over the first two decades of the twentieth century, producing large and small structures and structural steel work. The company added new physical plant in 1902, reincorporated in 1905, and employed more than 500 workers in 1908. The Penn Bridge Company built bridges and structures in nearly all U.S. states and territories. It was particularly prominent in Pittsburgh, the City of Bridges. By 1908, the company had built four bridges over the Ohio River, five over the Monongahela River, and two over the Allegheny River, as well as the original Ohio River Dam Nos. 2, 4, 5, and 6.

 


This bridge is tagged with the following special condition(s): Unorganized Photos

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Kelly Road Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

2021 Additional Unorganized Photos

Original / Full Size Photos
A supplemental collection of photos that are from additional visit(s) to the bridge and have not been organized or captioned. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

2021 Additional Unorganized Photos

Mobile Optimized Photos
A supplemental collection of photos that are from additional visit(s) to the bridge and have not been organized or captioned. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Kelly Road 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.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider