Mead Road Bridge

This Bridge is in Danger!

This bridge retains remarkable historic integrity, and although closed to traffic, is in decent structural condition. It is an excellent example of a classic pin-connected Pratt through truss. Retaining its lattice guardrails and wooden deck, the only thing this bridge lacks is its builder plaque. This bridge is nearly identical to a number of bridges constructed in Iroquois County, Illinois. Iroquois County is noted for doing business with the Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio. It is quite possible, that the Mead Road Bridge was built by them as well. The bridge appears to have been closed to traffic for quite some time. Little trace of the road is left leading eastward from the bridge. The bridge is composed of six panels. The bridge has v-lacing on vertical members, sway bracing, and under the upper chord. The portal bracing is a lattice design. The guardrails are also a lattice design, composed of a single row of lattice between two angles. The bridge sits on concrete abutments. The abutments are in overall fair condition, although there is an area of erosion that will likely become a problem in future years if it expands. It would be tragic for this bridge to end up like the Maple Rapids Road Bridge. The metal on the bridge is rusted, leaving no trace of paint, but has not eroded much. This is a bridge that could and should be restored, either here or in another location.