Climax Bridge

"Tunnel Road Bridge"

Bridge Documented: July 1, 2006

This historic bridge was demolished in 2009!

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Climax Bridge	Truss	Tunnel Road	Armstrong County / Clarion County, PA	Rural (Climax)	Redbank Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Rehabilitation Date	Structure Length	Main Spans	Deck Width
c. 1898	1974	258 Feet	3	11.8 Feet

This impressive deck truss is an unusual sight, as deck trusses themselves are uncommon, and even less common on highways. The bridge's truss configuration is subdivided Warren. Connections are riveted. The bridge is noted also for its trussed "trestle" supports, which extend down halfway to the water, and are sitting on stone piers.

The Historic Bridge Inventory thinks the bridge was once a railroad bridge, which explains the unusual design. While not as massive as most rail bridges, I find the statement believable, as there is a rail-line near the bridge. The rail line is also worth mentioning because there is a beautiful stone arch tunnel on the north side of this bridge. This tunnel was pointed right toward the bridge moreso than the current curved alignment of the tracks to the tunnel. Perhaps this is because there was indeed a set of tracks crossing the river via this bridge. The inventory also mentions that there was once a brick yard to the south of the bridge. I wonder if perhaps the bridge served only to back the train over to the brick yard and then it would back over the bridge and continue on the line that is still present today. Who knows... if you do, contact me!

This bridge has been heavily modified, although the Historic Bridge Inventory makes it sound worse than it is, and I disagree with their outdated assessment that a bridge as unusual as this one is rendered insignificant just because somebody modified some parts of it. There is still extensive v-lacing and riveting present on this bridge, and it retains its overall design scheme and appearance. It is a significant example of a deck truss bridge, which is a less common truss type.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 3 span, 258'-long, Warren deck truss bridge is supported on ashlar abutments and piers. The bridge was built ca. 1898, and its design and narrow width indicate that it was originally a railroad facility. There are no floor beams at the panel points, as in a conventional truss. There are cross beams spaced close together bearing on the top chord. In 1974 it was extensively rebuilt. The original deck and railings were replaced with an open grid deck and beam guide rail railings. New upper chord box sections with welded connections were built around the original upper chords, and the lower chords were replaced in kind but with welded connections. Many of the diagonals and verticals have welded repairs, and rivets have been replaced with high strength bolts. The bridge is too altered to be historically or technologically significant.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a single lane of a township road over a stream in a sparsely developed, wooded setting. South of the bridge are the ruins of a former brick yard. Two small ovens remain.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No