Williams Road Bridge

Visit Disappearing Bridge's Page For This Historic Bridge

This bridge is a Pratt through truss, and is significant because it uses Phoenix Columns. Compare this bridge to the Mead Avenue Bridge's Whipple truss structure which also uses Phoenix Columns. Williams Road Bridge does not use Phoenix's patented connections, nor does it have the unusual rivets I found on the Mead Avenue bridge. This bridge is very cool and ancient looking, and has a very square shape to it, mainly due to the phoenix columns and simple portal bracing. Large i-beams have been added to the bridge to help support the bridge. They appear to be hooked on to the bridge in a historically-friendly manner, and do not appear to compromise the integrity of the bridge. They do detract slightly from the beauty of the bridge, but not much. It is a small price to pay to keep this wonderful bridge standing into the 21st century.