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| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date and Builder/Engineer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! |
Mead Avenue Bridge
| Mead Avenue Over French Creek | Meadville: Crawford County, Pennsylvania | Metal 14 Panel Multiple-Type-Connected Whipple Through Truss, Fixed | 1871 By Builder/Contractor: Penn Bridge Company of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Main Span Length | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | NBI Number |
| 1937 | 129 Feet (39.3 Meters) | 268.46 Feet (81.83 Meters) | 19.4 Feet (5.9 Meters) | 2 | 20730188203000 |
This remarkable bridge is one of Pennsylvania's most unusual and historically significant bridges, and is in fact a nationally significant bridge that is today threatened with demolition. The bridge has faithfully served traffic since its completion in 1872, and is a testimony to the efforts of both the designers and builders of the bridge, as well as the craftsmen who fabricated the various parts of the bridge. However, 135 years later the bridge is being closed to traffic with no plans to re-open it, and an alarming discussion of demolishing the bridge is taking place. Although Pennsylvania has an unrivaled number of rare, historic truss bridges, it also has an extremely low number of preserved historic truss bridges, and the number of surviving structures is rapidly decreasing as historic bridges continue to be demolished. The possibility that this bridge could be demolished is very real. Among these numerous, rare bridges of Pennsylvania, this bridge stands out as a bridge that can truly be called unique, beautiful, and tremendously significant.
The bridge does suffer from significant deterioration, particularly in the lower portions of the bridge where salt and moisture have combined with a lack of good maintenance to do their damage. Worse, many of the repairs that were done to the bridge over the years were somewhat crude in design, and likely made the problem worse in the long term since they were more of a bandage than a full restoration. An experienced welder examined the bridge and commented, only somewhat jokingly, that the only apparent required skill for workers that made some of the welded repairs was that the worker knew how to turn the welder on!
Despite these problems, the bridge could and should be restored, at least for non-motorized use, perhaps relocated to a new location. Restoration would likely require the replication of several parts of the bridge deteriorated beyond repair. However, a significant amount of original bridge material would remain as well. It is worth noting that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is stuffed full of preserved historic wooden covered bridges. Many of these bridges were rehabilitated in a manner that very little original bridge material remains, with the majority of the bridge replicating the original materials using new material. Pennsylvania does not bat an eye toward such a preservation project for wooden covered bridges. Why, then, is the same not true for a historic metal truss bridge that is just as old and even more rare than any covered bridge? The reality is that even with the amount of replication and restoration that the Mead Avenue Bridge needs, the bridge would likely have much more original material than the average preserved wooden covered bridge. In a state whose heritage lies in the iron and steel industry, this bias toward preserving wooden covered bridges is unfair, unwise, and shortsighted.
It is paramount that the plans for demolition of this bridge be halted immediately, and that this bridge be preserved. A restoration project could rehabilitate the bridge for light vehicular use, or the bridge could bypassed by a modern bridge and the historic bridge restored for pedestrian use. Whatever solution might be selected, the key is that this historic bridge, along with its rare Keystone Columns and double-truss design continues to be a landmark attraction. Its loss would mark a tragedy that would be felt for generations to come.
The Mead Avenue Bridge is unique in that it is essentially two bridges in one. The original bridge was built from 1871-1872. In 1912, Baltimore trusses were added to the bridge, with the intention of being emergency repairs to increase the weight limit of the bridge for ten years. Instead, they proved sufficient to produce essentially continuous service for 95 years! Additional substantial work was done on the bridge in 1937. The original part of the bridge is an extremely old 1871 truss structure, and is a rear two-span example of the Whipple truss configuration. However, perhaps the most important element of significance is that the bridge uses rare Keystone columns for vertical members and end posts. Keystone Columns are an extremely rare form of built-up member, and are most commonly found on Wrought Iron Bridge Company bowstring truss bridges such as the Messerall Road Bridge, which are themselves rare. The Whipple truss bridge was built by the Penn Bridge Works of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Keystone was the company that assembled the columns for the bridge. Union Iron Mills was where the iron originated from, according to stamps on the bridge. The portal bracing on this bridge has been through a lot, and is damaged and or missing in many places, particularly at the western end. However, most of this decorative bracing is intact at the eastern end of the bridge. The design of the portal bracing, featuring a complex assembly of star-shaped objects is very ornate and complex, and greatly adds to the beauty of the bridge, forming a structure that is truly a work of art. Perhaps the most innovative compliment to this portal bracing in the form of decorative archways at the end of the sidewalks that even feature 1871 plaques overhead and their own unique portal design made up of a pattern of circles. These cantilevered sidewalks also feature an unusual design of lattice railing, which only further adds to the interest and appearance of the bridge. The attention to detail and appearance on this bridge is a perfect example of what sets a historic truss bridge apart from modern bridges of the 21st century.
The trusses that were added to the bridge date to 1912 and feature a Baltimore truss configuration and have riveted connections. It was built by Rodgers Brothers Company of Albion, Pennsylvania. Combined, these trusses convey an unusually strong sense of passing through a tunnel, which makes this bridge a fun experience to cross.
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Structure Overview
Original / Full Size Photos |
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. 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. |
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Structure General Details
Original / Full Size Photos |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. 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. |
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Truss Connection Details
Original / Full Size Photos |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the truss connections on the bridge. 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. |
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Structure Overview
Mobile Optimized Gallery |
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. 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 |
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|
Structure General Details
Mobile Optimized Gallery |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. 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 |
|
|
Truss Connection Details
Mobile Optimized Gallery |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the truss connections on the bridge. 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 |
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