| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Cons Road Bridge | Bronson Road Over Towanda Creek | Rural: Bradford County, Pennsylvania | Metal Riveted Double-Intersection Warren Through Truss, Stationary | 1904 By: Owego Bridge Company of Owego, New York |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Bridge Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1962 | 93 Feet (28.3 Meters) | 13.45 Feet (4.1 Meters) | 14 Feet (4.3 Meters) | 1 | None |
One could easily argue that Pennsylvania's metal truss bridges would be effective sources of tourism if preserved and promoted appropriately. However, instead, they turn away every opportunity to do so whenever they have the ability to, often demolishing the bridges instead of repairing them, or even demolishing the historic bridge when it is left standing next to a replacement that is on a new alignment. Even the bridges that are standing are not allowed to provide their full potential. Most notably in regards to the Cons Road Bridge as well as many other bridges in the state, the fact that the clearance sign is mounted absolutely, directly, right on top of the builder plaque. This hinders the ability of websites like this one to document the bridge's history, and it also reduces the beauty of the bridge, since the plaques are often attractive features of a truss bridge.
Perhaps the Owego Bridge Company could see into the future. They were smart, and used the back side of the plaque for their name, and put the county commissioners on front, so you can still see their name, as the back of the plaque remains visible.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The one span, 93'-long, 14' wide, riveted, double intersection Warren thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments with wingwalls. The upper chords and inclined end posts are built up box sections, and the diagonals are angles with battens or lacing. The rolled floorbeams are framed into the gusset plates at the lower panel points. The stringers and open grid deck date to 1962, but otherwise the bridge appears to be complete. It is one of 3 double intersection Warren thru truss bridges built between 1904 and 1907 in Bradford County. This is the earliest. All are historically and technologically significant based on the rareness of the double intersection Warren truss design and their completeness. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries one land of an unimproved township road over a stream in a sparsely developed, rural setting. There is a ca. 1900, aluminum sided vernacular house and a collapsed barn beyond the NE quadrant of the bridge. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes
Information From Skelly and Loy Demolition Mitigation WebsiteCounty Bridge Number 13 is a riveted, double intersection Warren thru truss bridge. It is one span, 93’ long bridge supported on concrete abutments with wingwalls. The bridge was built in 1904 by the Owego Bridge Company and the concrete abutments were placed in 1962. The upper chords and inclined end posts are built up box sections. The diagonals are angles with battens on the tension diagonals, and angles with lacing on the compression diagonals. The replacement rolled floorbeams are framed into gusset plates below the lower chords. This bridge has been determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. |
