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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| Thamesville Bridge | Truss (Centilever) | Highway 21 (Victoria Road) | Chatham-Kent Region | Thamesville | Thames River |
Cantilever bridges are the most advanced and intricate form of truss bridge around. This intricacy, combined with v-lacing and lattice present on many members and bracing make this a bridge that is both beautiful and breathtaking. Cantilever bridges are generally monstrous in size, and do not usually come this small. As bridges go in this area, this bridge is of decent length, but is short for the average cantilever bridge. This bridge has a warren truss configuration.
Cantilever bridges come in many varieties and shapes. Compare the unusually shaped Blue Water Bridge to this bridge. The Thamesville Bridge has a more familiar cantilever shape that comes up to a high point from the lower ends and center of the bridge.
The bracing for the north "tower" on this bridge has been replaced. I am unsure why, but it is possible that some idiot tried to drive too tall of a truck across the bridge. Through truss bridges on busy roads often have dents in the portal bracing from people hitting them. The replaced bracing is easy to recognize, because it is not v-laced, although they did not replace it with solid steel, which makes it look better than it might. Original lattice guardrails remain on the bridge, however metal guardrails have been added onto the road. This has somewhat hid the railings on the west side of the bridge. There is a sidewalk on the east side of the bridge, and those railings remain in excellent condition. This bridge has pretty plaque/finial-like designs on top of the towers. These once held builder plaques in the center, as the holes visible on them show. Even without the plaques, the finials still help make the bridge look impressive and proud. In my opinion, this is one of Ontario's most beautiful bridges, and without a weight limit I would guess that it will be around for a long time to come. The bridge is in good condition, but the white paint on the bridge is starting to show some rust. Hopefully Ontario will continue its past reputation of taking good care of its bridges are repaint this bridge sometime in the somewhat near future.
Crossroads Bed and Breakfast is a business located in Thamesville. I was happy to see that they list the Thamesville bridge in their list of attractions to the area. Visiting this bridge should be a part of everyone's trip to the Thamesville area. This is truly a unique bridge and I have never found anything that looks like this bridge anywhere else in Canada or the United States.
