| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Engle Bridge | Engles Mill Road Over Piney Run | Engles Mill (Rural): Somerset County, Pennsylvania | Concrete Deck Arch, Stationary | 1915 By: Unknown |
| Technical Facts |
| Alteration Date | Structure Length | Main Span Length | Bridge Width | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| c. 1985 | 52 Feet (15.8 Meters) | 50 Feet (15.24 Meters) | 14 Feet (4.3 Meters) | 12.8 Feet (3.9 Meters) | 1 | None |
This bridge is quite the unusual find, because it is a small open-spandrel arch bridge. Open-spandrel concrete arch bridges are not uncommon, but they are generally large, multi-span structures often located in urban settings. This small, rural 50 foot structure is quite odd, and is an example of the experimentation that went on in the early 20th century as engineers investigated the uses of re-enforced concrete as a bridge-building material. As such, even the Pennsylvania Historic Bridge Inventory recognized the bridge as significant. It is unfortunate to note that the original railings were lost, which is a serious detriment to the aesthetic qualities of the bridge. A restoration project could replaced those railings with replicas of the original railings, however.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The single span, 50'-long, ribbed open spandrel reinforced concrete deck arch bridge dates stylistically to ca. 1910. It has plain spandrel columns. The concrete deck and beam guiderail railings date to ca. 1985. The bridge is technologically and historically significant representing the experimentation associated with the early days of reinforced concrete bridge technologies. It represents economy of both concrete and reinforcing steel for a short span. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries 1 lane of a township road over a stream in a wooded area of active farms. The south approach is sharply curved. The area may be a potential rural historic district. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes |
