Jefferson Boulevard Bridge

Bridge Documented: October 2006

This bridge was recently rehabilitated. These repairs seem to include re-facing the surface of the arches with modern concrete. The original historic design and architectural elements of the original bridge appear to have been retained however, allowing the bridge to continue to have a moderate level of historic significance. The bridge certainly has quite a bit or architectural expression on its arches and piers, revealing a long-past era where a lot of attention was given to the aesthetic appearance of a bridge.

Information and Findings From Indiana's Historic Bridge Inventory Statement of Significance The bridge is noteworthy on a number of accounts. It is quite old, heavy, long, and skewed. Its Melan system of reinforcing is well-documented and increasingly rare. The replacement deck has reduced without destroying all of the bridge's architectural integrity. Architectural Description Alanzo J. Hammond, South Bend City Engineer, designed this 490', four-span reinforced and filled concrete arch to handle a two-track interurban line as well as vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Scribner and Heyworth of Chicago won the contract to build the bridge for $119,000 and $6,600 for $20,000 feet of piling. The Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company of Milwaukee fabricated the Melan system of reinforcing. Hammond had the steel trusses from the old bridge moved to Spring Brook park for $7,000. Offset by 20 degrees, each of the rings is elliptical and spans 110'. Solid spandrel walls retain the earth fill and support the replacement concrete-slab deck which overhangs the rings. The deck carries a 51' asphalt roadway between sidewalks and metal rails. Both the original rail and the pier decoration were neoclassical. The balustrade has been replaced. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes, Outstanding