| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Bronson Bridge Hilton Bridge |
Bronson Road Over Sugar Creek | Rural: Bradford County, Pennsylvania | Metal Riveted Double-Intersection Warren Through Truss, Stationary | 1907 By: Owego Bridge Company of Owego, New York |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Bridge Width | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1966 | 88 Feet (26.8 Meters) | 14 Feet (4.3 Meters) | 13 Feet (4 Meters) | 1 | None |
Double-intersection Warren truss bridges are a generally uncommon truss configuration, but are regionally less uncommon in Bradford County because the Owego Bridge Company, a regionally prolific bridge company based in nearby Owego, New York, built many bridges using this truss configuration.
Regardless of how many there are in Bradford County, these truss bridges should be considered rare, significant, and worthy of preservation.
The Bronson Bridge's trusses appear to retain good historic integrity. The 1960s rehabilitations that are present on nearly all Bradford County truss bridges, including the Bronson Bridge, did alter the flooring system. However, since all Bradford County truss bridges share this fate, this should not be considered an excuse to not consider this bridge's historic value.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The one span, 88'-long, double intersection Warren thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments with concrete and stone wingwalls. The upper chords and inclined end posts are built up box sections, and the diagonals are angles with lacing or battens. The lower chords are channels with lacing. The flooring system was replaced by the county in 1966, and the rolled floorbeams are salvaged material. Otherwise, the bridge appears to be complete, and it is an example of an uncommon truss design. Adding a second set of diagonals increased the capacity of the Warren design. The bridge is historically and technologically significant based on the rareness of the double intersection Warren truss design and its completeness. It is one of three nearly identical bridges built between 1904 and 1907, and all are documented or attributed to the Owego Bridge Co. Discussion of Surrounding Area The single lane bridge carries an unimproved township road over a stream in a sparsely developed are of farms and scattered modern houses. The bridge is at a T intersection with US 6. Bradford is a rural county. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes
Information From Skelly and Loy Demolition Mitigation WebsiteCounty Bridge Number 8, also known as the Hilton or Bronson Bridge , is a double intersection Warren thru truss bridge. It is one span, 88’ long bridge supported on concrete abutments with concrete and stone wingwalls. Fabrication of the bridge in 1907 has been attributed to the Owego Bridge Company, the bridge was built in 1907 and the concrete abutments were placed in 1966. The upper chords and inclined end posts are built up box sections. The tension diagonals are angles with battens and the compression diagonals are angles with lacing. The rolled floorbeams are salvaged material used to replace the original flooring system. This bridge has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. |
