Cogley Bridge

"Pebble Road Bridge"

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 2, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Cogley Bridge	Truss	Pebble Road	Armstrong County, PA	Rural	Bear Creek (South Branch)

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Structure Length	Deck Width
c. 1910	54 Feet	14 Feet

This small subdivided Warren pony truss with riveted connections is attractive because it is has a lot of v-lacing and lattice for its design and age. V-lacing is present on the diagonals and lattice is on the verticals. There is also v-lacing under the top chord. Original lattice railings also remain on the bridge. A metal grate deck is present, although the metal grating is not the usual bridge-style, it is more like the type used on walkways and such. The bridge is slightly skewed. It is a very rural bridge, and carries hardly any traffic. Because of this and its small size, I can't imagine that restoring this bridge to ensure it will serve traffic for another century would be a costly endeavor.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The ca. 1910, skewed, riveted, 54'-long, Warren with verticals pony truss is supported on ashlar abutments with flared wingwalls. An example of a standardized design, the trusses have no innovative or distinctive details. The upper chords and end posts are built up box sections, and the verticals and diagonals are angles with either laced or lattice webs. The bridge is undocumented, and it is an example of the most common early 20th century pony truss design in the region and state. The technology was introduced into the state ca. 1895 and was well established by the time this bridge was built. Approximately 90 erected examples prior to 1910 survive throughout the Commonwealth. Neither the bridge nor its setting are historically or technologically significant.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries 1 lane of an unimproved township road over a stream in a sparsely developed, wooded setting that does not have rural historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No