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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| Wipper Will Road Bridge | Truss | Wipper Will Road | Venango County, PA | Rural | Little Sandy Creek |
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Technical Facts |
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Construction Date |
Rehabilitation Date |
Structure Length | Deck Width | Builder |
| 1904 | c. 1990 | 46 Feet | 14 Feet | Rochester Bridge and Construction Company |
The historic bridge inventories often downplay the importance of bridges built by small bridge companies. Certainly, it is important to preserve bridges that represent the work of a company who revolutionized the world of bridges, but it also makes sense to preserve bridges that are built by small companies who would be forgotten completely if it weren't for a few surviving bridges built by them. Such is the case with this bridge, built by the Rochester Bridge and Construction Company.
The truss configuration on this bridge looks more like a double-intersection Warren truss to me more so than a Pratt. But with a bridge this short consisting of only four panels, the different truss types can run together.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 1904, riveted, single span, 46'-long, Pratt pony truss bridge is supported on ashlar abutments with wingwalls. The bridge is fabricated from metal angles. Ca. 1990 the lower chords were replaced in kind. A short and undistinguished example of riveted truss bridge technology, the bridge has no innovative or distinctive details. Riveted truss bridges have been used on Pennsylvania highways since ca. 1890. Earlier examples or those with innovative or distinctive details better represent the technology. Nor is the bridge builder, a small fabricator of metal truss bridges and other structural steel work, historically noteworthy. This bridge is neither historically nor technologically significant. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries 1 lane of an unimproved road over a stream in a rural agricultural area undistinguished, predominantly early 20th century vernacular farmhouses. The setting does not have historic district potential. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
