| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Hooversville Bridge | Railroad Street Over Stonycreek River | Hooversville: Somerset County, Pennsylvania | Metal Through Girder, Stationary | 1914 By: Farris Bridge Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Technical Facts |
| Structure Length | Roadway Width | Bridge Width | Span Length | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 166 Feet (50.6 Meters) | 17.4 Feet (5.3 Meters) | 28 Feet (8.5 Meters) | 83 Feet (25.3 Meters) | 2 | None |
Some places (like the entire state of Michigan) do not have a single bridge like this. Although there are more examples of this technology in Pennsylvania, this does not mean these bridges are common and unworthy of preservation. At least some of these bridges should be preserved. The Hooversville Bridge seems like an excellent candidate.
This bridge is essentially a "normal" two-span through plate girder that is encased in concrete. Engineers experimented with concrete encasing in the early twentieth century in an attempt to try to protect and prolong the life of the steel. The technique did not last however, and by 1940 was in general no longer used.
The plate girder itself can in fact be seen today because at the ends of the bridge the concrete has deteriorated slightly, revealing the ends of the girders. Also, the shape of the concrete is similar to a plate girder, where one can see the ribs on the concrete, which cover the ribs that appear on most plate girder walls.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 1914, 2 simple span, 166'-long (2 @ 83'), built up thru girder bridge is supported on concrete abutments and a concrete pier. The bridge, which has a camber, is completely encased in concrete. The bridge is an example of a common type with no innovative or distinguishing detail. Girder bridges were first developed by the railroad industry in the 1840s, and they were used on vehicular roadways in Pennsylvania beginning in the late 19th century. Neither the bridge nor its setting are historically or technologically significant. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane of a borough street and 1 sidewalk over a river in the central part of Hooversville with undistinguished and altered late-19th and early-20th century houses and commercial buildings. Many have modern additions, replacement siding and windows, and rebuilt or lost porches. The area lacks the cohesiveness and architectural significance to be a potential historic district. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
