Paxton Road Bridge

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 3, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Paxton Road Bridge	Truss	Paxton Road	Washington County, PA	Rural (Near Canonsburg)	Chartiers Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Structure Length	Deck Width
1919	52 Feet	13 Feet

This quaint little bridge is so small that the railings are as high as the top chord! With a 1919 construction date one might be surprised to see such a small warren pony truss with riveted connections being listed by the conservative historic bridge inventory. However this is one of the first bridges to use rolled H section beams (they look like i-beams on the bridge) for a top chord and end post. As such the bridge is quite historic. One note is that this development of using i-beam type beams to form the truss structure eventuall led to a massive decrease in aesthetic value for metal truss bridges. Modern truss bridges built today are entirely made of i-beams, which are comparatively plain when compared to the riveted, built up beams that were used on older bridges. The Paxton Road Bridge however retains aesthetic value through its riveted connections and v-laced diagonals.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 52' long and 13' wide Warren pony truss bridge dated 1919 is supported on one concrete abutment with wingwalls and one ashlar abutment. The top chords and inclined end posts are rolled H section. All other members are traditionally composed. A two rail high steel channel railing has been attached to the bridge and finished with squared ends that extend beyond the end posts. The bridge is historically and technologically significant as one of the earliest if not the earliest documented application of the rolled H section for compression members, and it is a technologically significant. There are apparently no original plans for the bridge.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries one lane of a township road over a stream. Southwest of the bridge is a large gravel pile from a stone crushing plant. North are scrub woods and fields. The area does not appear to have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes