Plank Road Bridge

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 1, 2006

There are a few bridges in northwestern Pennsylvania that have been retrofitted with steel beams. With through truss, these don't really make a big deal, and it is nice because they suggest that the bridge is being taken care of and not demolished. However, with this bridge, the beams are so large that half the bridge is covered up! I suspect that for whatever reason, these beams were added because somebody finally learned that repair is cheaper than demolition with bridges, although I doubt they care about the history and beauty of this bridge. While I would prefer to see repairs done on this bridge in harmony with the original design, I am happy they chose to add beams instead of demolishing and replacing the bridge. The beams are large eyebeams set on top of the deck. There are holes in the top and bottom of the beam that a hanger goes through. You can see the hanger in the above photo to the left of the original hanger under the bridge. Essentially, the added beam and the original truss bridge's floor beams combine to work like a through plate girder.

This little pony truss is noteworthy for its v-laced railings that you have to look behind the beam to find. Railings are usually lattice, although they do sometimes show up v-laced instead. The bridge itself is a half-hip Pratt that is composed of three panels.