| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Water Street Bridge | Water Street Over West Branch Tioughnioga River | Homer: Cortland County, New York | Metal Pinned Lenticular Pony Truss, Stationary | 0 By: Unknown |
This two span bridge featuring spans with four panels each, was likely built by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, but the company was originally known also as the Corrugated Metal Company. Therefore, without a construction date known or a plaque remaining on the bridge it is difficult to know which name the company was using when this bridge was built.
Like any surviving lenticular truss bridge, this bridge is nationally significant as an extremely rare and important type of metal truss bridge. The design was known for its graceful and distinctive lens-like shape. The design was one that the Corrugated Metal Company patented and built in various places in the country, from New England to Texas. The company later became the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut. Today lenticular truss bridges are distinguished as one of the rarest types of bridge in the country. Any remaining example is extremely significant and should be given high priority for preservation.
This bridge is one of an amazing trio of lenticular truss bridges in the village of Homer. It is truly impressive to see that all three of these bridges have been left alone all these years and not replaced. It is imperative that these bridges be preserved and cared for, since although each is extremely significant in its own right, to be able to have three different lenticular truss bridges within walking distance is a unique treasure that should be cherished by the village of Homer.
The Water Street Bridge has been preserved for pedestrian use only. It retains good historic integrity with the major exception that the built-up floor beams were replaced. It is important that if the other two lenticular truss bridges in Homer are restored that the floor beams on those structure not be replaced. If the replacement of some floor beams on those structures is needed, the new beams should be replicated with precise detail including the use of riveting. Built-up floor beams are historically significant because they represent a time when rolled i-beams were not effective or efficient options due to cost an difficulty in rolling the larger beams needed for floor beams. Thus, they are a critical part to preserve when restoring a truss bridge that has them.
