January 2007: Port Crescent Road Bridge
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Located in a state park that has walking trails that can be accessed using this bridge, this structure is an ideal candidate for restoration in its current location for light vehicular/pedestrian use. The structure is regionally significant as the last remaining pin-connected through highway truss in the thumb area. It has statewide significance as a rare example of a bridge built by the Michigan Bridge and Pipe Company. It is also significant for its unusual vertical members and sway bracing, and for retaining excellent historic integrity. Finally, the bridge is significant as a remnant of the long-lost town of Port Crescent, the last remaining obvious hint that a community was once present near the mouth of the Pinnebog River. Click here to visit the page for the Port Crescent Road Bridge. |
February 2007: Schell Bridge
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A bridge at risk, the Schell Bridge is located in Northfield, Massachusetts. As a cantilever bridge, this is a relatively small bridge, and it utilizes the uncommon Pennsylvania truss configuration. Perhaps the most noteworthy visual asset is the stunning gothic portal bracing design, which is unlike any designs found on other truss bridges. The beauty of the bridge is also enhanced by extensive lattice and v-lacing on the various members, chords, and bracing on the bridge. Tall stone piers and abutments complete the image, creating a scene of beauty that should be a crime to destroy. Despite this beauty and historic significance, the bridge has been on demolition lists for some time, although the bridge is not in the way of any construction projects. There is a shred of hope for this bridge, because a concerned group of citizens has formed to try to save the bridge. |
March 2007: 139th Avenue Bridge
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This small Warren pony truss with riveted connections has been closed to traffic for some time, and has been waiting on a replacement list. The waiting is over. The dirt road has widened to two-lanes leading up to this bridge, and pink flags are present all around the bridge. These are never good signs for historic bridge enthusiasts. Indeed, Allegan County intends to demolish this historic bridge, despite the fact it is one of only three highway truss bridges in the county. This bridge was not determined to be historic in the 1995 historic bridge inventory, and since the 2007 inventory has not been completed, Allegan County is still interpreting the bridge as non-historic, despite the fact that the 1995 assessment is outdated. Metal truss bridges have become extremely rare in Michigan today, and each surviving example should be considered historically significant. This bridge, although small and in poor structural condition, retains a great deal of historic integrity and is an attractive structure. It is a bridge that will be missed. |
April 1-14, 2007: Pomeroy-Mason Bridge
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This small Warren pony truss with riveted connections has been closed to traffic for some time, and has been waiting on a replacement list. The waiting is over. The dirt road has widened to two-lanes leading up to this bridge, and pink flags are present all around the bridge. These are never good signs for historic bridge enthusiasts. Indeed, Allegan County intends to demolish this historic bridge, despite the fact it is one of only three highway truss bridges in the county. This bridge was not determined to be historic in the 1995 historic bridge inventory, and since the 2007 inventory has not been completed, Allegan County is still interpreting the bridge as non-historic, despite the fact that the 1995 assessment is outdated. Metal truss bridges have become extremely rare in Michigan today, and each surviving example should be considered historically significant. This bridge, although small and in poor structural condition, retains a great deal of historic integrity and is an attractive structure. It is a bridge that will be missed. |
April 14 - May 31, 2007: Wadhams Road Bridge
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This bridge was demolished on April 24, 2007. One of the first bridges to be included on this website, this bridge was also one of the greatest. The bridge was nationally significant as a multi-span example of a rare structure type: the unique curved chord through girder (concrete camelback) bridge type, which was designed by Michigan and mainly built only in Michigan. The Wadhams Road Bridge was one of only three remaining multi-span examples. Among those three multi-span examples, two are scheduled for demolition, including Wadhams Road. The bridge was not structurally deficient, and was actually in remarkable condition for its 1927 construction date. The reason it is being demolished is its narrow width. None of the many options that combined roadway needs with preservation were seriously pursued by the county. The demolition of this bridge represents the worst historic bridge atrocity in Michigan since the creation of this website four years ago. |
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June-July-August 2007: Ulster Bridge
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Contact PennDOT and lawmakers and ask them to leave this historic bridge standing! The 1904 Ulster Bridge crossing Susquehanna River in Bradford County, Pennsylvania is an extremely large metal truss bridge. Consulting Engineers Skelly and Loy found that the Ulster Bridge is "...the longest pin-connected truss bridge known to continue to carry traffic." Four large pin-connected Parker truss bridges with thirteen panels each form the main span of the structure. The remaining 10 spans are approach spans on the eastern end of the bridge and are long span Warren pony trusses with riveted connections and feature rare vertical end posts. If considered its own structure, these pony truss spans may combine to be one of the longest remaining pony truss bridges of any kind. Thus, the bridge is noteworthy for an extremely long example of its type, unusual design, and for remarkable historic integrity. The structure has served traffic for over a century. PennDOT is nearing completion of a replacement. Anyone who appreciates history is asked to contact PennDOT and lawmakers and try to convince them to leave the bridge standing next to its replacement, before it is too late. Demolition is planned for Fall 2007! |
September 2007: Zoarville Station Bridge
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This bridge, which is the last remaining Fink truss in the entire country has just been reassembled, completing its restoration. Because it is the last of its type, features unique engineering, uses Phoenix columns in its structure, and is ancient with an 1868 construction date, this is a bridge that is rivaled by few in terms of importance. It is one of the most important historic bridges in the nation. The bridge features the highly unusual Fink truss configuration. The bridge is also noteworthy for its high levels of aesthetic value. Most notably, the portal of this bridge has a very unique and stunning design to it that makes standing before this bridge quite a visual experience. This bridge was originally part of a three span structure at Canal Dover, Ohio. The existing span was recovered from that bridge and relocated in 1905. That crossing was abandoned in the 1940s, and no further changes occurred until the 21st century, when restoration of the bridge began. The restoration of this bridge was done with excruciating attention paid to maintaining the historic integrity of the bridge. Click here to visit the page for the Zoarville Station Bridge. |
October 2007: Port Watson Street Bridge
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This bridge, which is the last remaining Fink truss in the entire country has just been reassembled, completing its restoration. Because it is the last of its type, features unique engineering, uses Phoenix columns in its structure, and is ancient with an 1868 construction date, this is a bridge that is rivaled by few in terms of importance. It is one of the most important historic bridges in the nation. The bridge features the highly unusual Fink truss configuration. The bridge is also noteworthy for its high levels of aesthetic value. Most notably, the portal of this bridge has a very unique and stunning design to it that makes standing before this bridge quite a visual experience. This bridge was originally part of a three span structure at Canal Dover, Ohio. The existing span was recovered from that bridge and relocated in 1905. That crossing was abandoned in the 1940s, and no further changes occurred until the 21st century, when restoration of the bridge began. The restoration of this bridge was done with excruciating attention paid to maintaining the historic integrity of the bridge. Click here to visit the page for the Port Watson Street Bridge. |
Special November 2007 Event: Historic Bridge Awareness Month
November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month! - Click here to learn more about the events for this month, as well as a special project where your help is needed as the historic bridge community seeks to revise a piece of of transportation legislation!
November 2007: Mackinac Bridge
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November 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Mackinac Bridge, which at the time was the longest bridge in the world. Even today it still stands among the greatest bridges of the world. It symbolizes unity between Michigan's two peninsulas and is a striking man-made monument in a region that is largely rural. Its paint colors were specifically chosen to help this monstrous bridge, often called "Big Mac" compliment its largely natural surroundings, which is does very well. Although this bridge has been considered historic for some time since it is such an engineering feat, however this 50th anniversary means the bridge has also passed the traditional 50 year limit for National Register of Historic Places eligibility. As such, one can undoubtedly call this bridge historic today! The respect and attention this bridge receives should be a role model for historic bridges, both large and small, across the country, but unfortunately this is not the case. |
December 2007: Point Marion Bridge Replacement
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Located in far southwestern Pennsylvania and crossing the Monongahela River, the Point Marion Bridge is the second oldest cantilever truss bridge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Point Marion Bridge is a relatively old example of a bridge type that was built for large crossings during the twentieth century. Today, cantilever truss bridges, which were always relatively few in number due to the limited number of large bridges in general, are being replaced at frightening rates. The Point Marion Bridge will soon be the latest victim. Despite the fact that a nearby rail-trail would be able to make excellent use of this beautiful bridge if preserved for pedestrian use, PennDOT plans to demolish this bridge when it completes the replacement, which is being built next to the historic bridge. This means that demolition is not really necessary, it is just that PennDOT feels like wasting your tax dollars and destroying a rare, historic structure that offers a beautiful and infinitely complex geometric art that is not found in any other structure type. The time to write PennDOT and area legislatures and express support for preservation is now! |
