Wing Road Bridge

"Canal Road Bridge"

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 1, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Wing Road Bridge	Truss	Wing Road (Canal Road)	Crawford County, PA	Rural	Conneaut Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Rehabilitation Date	Structure Length	Deck Width
c. 1895	c. 1980	53 Feet	16 Feet

This bridge is on essentially on Wing Road, although the section of road that the bridge is on is listed as Canal Road, because for the length of just a bit over the 53 foot length of the bridge, Canal Road joins Wing Road to cross over the creek and continue paralleling Conneaut Creek on the other side.

For its length, this bridge seemed like it has rather tall trusses. For a half-hip pony truss, this is a short to medium length structure. Original railings do not remain on the bridge. Their is lattice on the verticals. The bridge is composed of three panels. The bridge has been heavily modified, although the main parts of the bridge are still original. The inventory, happy to condemn a century-old bridge such as this, is quick to describe the non-original modifications. I however feel that the bridge, despite its modifications, still retains its original attractive overall appearance and is worth preserving.

I found this bridge late in the evening, and ended up returning early in the morning to try to get better photos. Neither came out real good, but I could not afford to hang around and wait for the sunrise, as I had about 40 more bridges to visit that day!

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The ca. 1895, pin connected, single span, 53'-long, Pratt pony truss bridge is traditionally composed with built up box section upper chords, metal angle with lattice verticals, and eye bar diagonals. The structure was modified ca. 1980 when lower chord eye bars, diagonal eye and pins were replaced with material of different dimensions than the original and welded outriggers were added. The bridge is an altered example of its type and design, and it is not historically or technologically significant. Complete pin connected truss bridges are common in Crawford County.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries 1 lane of an unimproved road over a stream in a sparsely developed, wooded setting. A single Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad track crosses the road at grade just west of the bridge. The area does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No