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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
Jantz Road Bridge |
Truss |
Jantz Road |
Armstrong County, PA |
Rural (Eddyville) |
Pine Run |
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Technical Facts |
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Construction Date |
Structure Length | Deck Width | Builder |
| c. 1895 | 86 Feet | 13.3 Feet | Nelson and Buchanan Company |
This bridge is in the middle of nowhere. Ironically, I went through a dot on the map appropriately named "Distant" on the way to this bridge!
The historic bridge inventory links the bridge to Nelson and Buchanan because of the floorbeams. Nelson and Buchanan were originally agents for the Pittsburgh Bridge Company, but later apparently became their own company. I however noted some other things that this bridge has in common with the Shanley Road Bridge, which was fabricated by Nelson and Buchanan as agents of the Pittsburgh Bridge Company. For one thing, although the plaque is missing on Jantz Road, the outline of the unusually shaped and positioned plaque is clearly the same shape as the commissioner plaque on the Shanley Road Bridge. Second, the way that the diagonal bracing rods are tied into the sway bracing is identical to Shanley Road. Thirdly, although smaller/shorter, the arrangement of the lattice and beams that form the portal bracing is the same.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The ca. 1895, pin connected, single span, 86'-long, Pratt thru truss is supported on ashlar abutments with flared wingwalls. The trusses are traditionally composed, but the manner in which the floor beams are connected with Z-shaped straps at the lower panel points indicates that it was fabricated by Nelson & Buchanan. It is one of nine pin connected Pratt truss bridges in Armstrong County, and the bridge is historically and technologically significant as a complete example of the technology in the region. The bridge appears to be complete except for the cover plate welded to the floor beams. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries 1 lane of a township road over a stream in a sparsely developed, wooded setting. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes |
