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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| King Street Bridge | Truss | King Street (Abandoned Section in Ivey Park) | Middlesex County, Ontario | London | South Branch Thames River |
There are very few remaining pin connected truss bridges in Ontario. London is lucky enough to have several, and this King Street Bridge is one.
When viewed from afar, this appears to be a classic Pratt pin connected through truss with nine panels. A closer inspection reveals that this bridge is unusual, in that it carries a large storm sewer pipe under its deck. The main i-beams on the bridge have been cut out in the center to make room for the pipe. The deck, which has been redesigned for pedestrian use, is open where the pipe is, allowing a decent view of the unusual feature from on the bridge. Many bridges carry small pipes, but this is quite a large pipe. Based on the way the i-beams have been cut apart and re-welded, one would think that this is recent addition to the bridge. However, when you look at the west abutment, written on the concrete is "London Sewerage System A.D. 1897" which suggests that this bridge always carried a sewer pipe of some sort. Perhaps the pipe was enlarged in more recent years, which necessitated the cutting of the i-beams.
Despite the modified i-beams, this bridge still manages to be an impressive and rare example of a pin connected truss bridge in Ontario. V-lacing is on the vertical members, and even on the first section of the bottom chord. V-lacing is also under the top chord.
This bridge remains in its original location, although King Street no longer makes it to this bridge. A park on the east side of this bridge is where the road once was. On the other side, the road still mostly leads up to the bridge, but instead goes into a parking lot. The bridge remains in use for pedestrian use, and appeared to be in excellent condition. Hopefully this rare bridge will continue to be cared for.
