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Historic Bridges Available for Reuse

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Parker pony truss bridge

The skewed, 1 span, 146'-long, riveted Parker pony truss bridge has built-up chords and rolled I section web members. The end posts are vertical, not sloped, as is characteristic of most Parker trusses of this period. The gusset plates have been shaped to have curvilinear edges, rather than straight edges, giving them a "webbed" appearance. The bridge has rolled floor beams, stringer, and a concrete deck. The deck was replaced in 1985 and safety shape barriers placed to the roadway faces of the trusses. The bridge is supported on concrete abutments with U-shaped wingwalls finished with balustrades.

Integrity:

The bridge was rehabilitated in 1985. Summary of Significance: The Parker pony truss was fabricated by the Mt. Vernon Bridge Co. for the state highway department in 1935. It is a well-proportioned, although technologically late, example of the bridge type/design. It has nice aesthetic detailing, including the gusset plates and wingwalls. It speaks well of the bridge bureau's attention to design under the leadership of D. H. Overman. There is a similar thru truss in Richland County on SR 13 (7000243). The bridge was rehabilitated in 1985, which included replacing the deck. The project does not appear to have diminished the integrity or the ability of the bridge to convey its significance, and it was approved with no adverse effect by the SHPO. The prior inventory included the bridge in the reserve pool. It is recommended eligible. Camelback and Parker trusses are members of the Pratt-family of trusses with sloped top chords Technologically, Camelback and Parker trusses differ only in the number of top chord slopes (Camelbacks have exactly five slopes, and Parkers have more than five slopes.) The sloped-chord trusses provide the greatest depth at midspan where it is needed to accommodate the stresses, meaning that less material is needed in their construction as compared to a parallel chord truss of similar span, but fabrication is made more difficult due to the varying lengths of the members. The sloped-chord trusses are often associated with longer spans where the savings in material is great enough to be worth the additional fabrication costs. The practice of sloping the top chords dates to at least the 1840s and appeared early in the development of metal trusses. As with other truss designs, pin connections were used from the 1870s to 1900s, and mostly phased out during the 1910s. Rivet connections were being used by the early 1900s and were prevalent from the 1910s to 1940s. Standardized rivet-connected Camelback and Parker designs were used by many state highway departments, including the Ohio State Highway Department.

Preserved:

Bridge has been saved and preserved by the City of Hilliard for reuse on a rail trail project.

Date Built/Builder: 1935/Ohio State Highway Department/Mt. Vernon Bridge Co.
Date Modified (if applicable): 1985
SFN: 6501567

​Pony Truss
Design: Parker (Riveted)
Material: Steel Railing Type: Safety Shape Barriers
Source: ODOT Inspection Files

​Overall length: 161 feet
Out to Width: 25.5 feet
Roadway Width: 24 feet

​Tom Barrett
614-466-3932
tom.barrett@dot.state.oh.us

Preserved: Yes
Photos: Click here
  
Caldwell Road Bridge

​Located in Dallas Township, Township Route 33 (Caldwell Road) over the Sandusky River. Currently closed to traffic

Date Built/Builder: 1890/Variety Iron Works
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 173820

Pratt through truss with pin connections​

114 feet long
16 feet wide​

​Crawford County Engineers Office
815 Whetstone Street
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
419-562-7731

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Woodside Road Bridge

Located in Texas Township Route 193 (Woodside Road) over Sycamore Creek in Crawford County.​

Date Built/Builder: circa 1900/builder unknown
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 1743910

Pratt pony truss bridge with pin connections​

52 feet long
16 feed wide​

​Crawford County Engineers Office
815 Whetstone Street
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
419-562-7731

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Benton Road Bridge

With help from Vern Messler of http://www.historicbridgerestoration.com/, this structure will be restored and reused for vehicles in Twin Lakes, Lake County Colorado. A website dedicated to the bridge is forthcoming from the new bridge owners.  Located in Texas Township, Township Route 104 (Benton Rd.) over Sycamore Creek. This bridge has been determined eligible ​for the National Register of Historic places by ODOT, FHWA and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office as a representative example of Warren pony trusses.

Date Built/Builder: 1925/Brookville Bridge Company, Brookville, Ohio
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 1743961

Warren polygonal chord pony truss​

92 feet long
17 feed wide​

​Crawford County Engineers Office
815 Whetstone Street
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
419-562-7731

Preserved: Yes
Photos: Click here
  
Fairview-Snodgrass Bridge

Fairview-Snodgrass (Township Route 19) over Spring Creek. This bridge was scheduled for replacement in 2010. It is now being relocated to the City of Piqua for reuse on a bikeway. Thanks to Doug Christian, P.E., P.S., the Miami County Engineer and the City of Piqua for their efforts in finding a way to preserve this structure.​ For more information and to view more pictures, download the Nomination Form.

Date Built/Builder: 1913/builder unknown
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 5531055

Pratt pinned pony steel truss​

66 feet long
15.9 feed wide​

N/A​

Preserved: Yes
Photos: Click here
  
Bennington Harmon Road Bridge

Bennington Harmon Road (TR-191) over Big Walnut Creek in rural Morrow County.​ This small pony truss has some unusual outriggers.

Date Built/Builder: Unknown/Unknown
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 5930634

Metal 3 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Half-Hip Pony Truss, Fixed​

48 feet long
13.8 feet wide
Main spans: 1​

Thomas P. Barrett, Environmental Specialist
Cultural Resources/Historic Bridges
Office of Environmental Services
Division of Planning
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad St. Columbus Ohio 43223
614-466-3932
tom.barrett@dot.state.oh.us

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Pompey Road Bridge

Pompey Road (TR-166) over Turkey Run. This small bridge has some alterations, but retains its historical charm.​

As part of the Ohio Bridge Partnership Program, the Morrow County Pompey Road Wrought Iron Bridge Company pony truss bridges was transported and reused at the entrance to a ranch in Bogata, Texas.

Several 19th century Wrought Iron Bridge Company bridges were replaced as part of ODOT's Bridge Partnership Program in 2011 and stored at the Morrow County Fairgrounds awaiting reuse opportunities.

Please click on the photos link below to see the transformation in progress between May 2022 and October 2022. ​


Date Built/Builder: Unknown/Unknown
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 5932238

Metal 3 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Half-Hip Pony Truss, Fixed

​47 feet long
13.8 feet wide
Main Spans: 1

Thomas P. Barrett, Environmental Specialist
Cultural Resources/Historic Bridges
Office of Environmental Services
Division of Planning
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad St. Columbus Ohio 43223
614-466-3932
tom.barrett@dot.state.oh.us

Preserved: Yes
Photos: Click here
  
US Route 36 Camelback Rivited Thru Truss two center spans

The bridge currently carries a 2 lane US highway over the Tuscarawas River south of Gnadenhutten. It is paralleled by a similar 2-span thru truss railroad bridge.

The 4 span, 509'-long bridge has two rivet-connected Camelback thru truss main spans (220 ft long each and 34 ft wide) flanked by steel stringer approach spans (30’ each). The trusses are composed of rolled sections for the web members and built-up sections for the chords. It has cantilevered sidewalks with state-standard metal panel railings.
 

The bridge is available as one individual truss span if that is all that is needed at a new location (approx. 200’).  Any interested parties will have to contact us no later than 03/01/15.  We anticipate the bridge will be available for pick-up between 04/01 – 06/30 2016.  The salvaged bridge components will include the bridge truss components but no deck.

Additional information:

Date Built/Builder: 1949/American Bridge Co.
Date Modified (if applicable): 1994 with new deck
SFN: 7900333

Camelback​ Riveted Thru Truss (two truss spans)

​Each of the two thru truss spans are:

220 ft. long

34 ft. roadway width

Thomas P. Barrett, Environmental Specialist
Cultural Resources/Historic Bridges
Office of Environmental Services
Mail Stop 4170, 3rd Floor
Division of Planning
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad St. Columbus Ohio 43223
614-466-3932
tom.barrett@dot.state.oh.us

 

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Marion 141 Truss (St James Road Bridge)

The complete bridge is available for immediate use. It is currently being stored at the Kings Mill Golf Club (40.354800 / 83.022700), with easy access to load onto CR 141. A great opportunity to preserve the National Register of Historic Places-eligible, St. James Road Bridge, a Parker pin-connected, thru truss bridge, which carried County Route 141 (St. James Road) over the Olentangy River in Richland Township, Marion County.

The bridge dates to about 1905 and was moved to this location as part of a WPA project in the 1937. The ca. 1905 pin-connected Parker thru truss bridge ranks as 1 of the 2 oldest examples of the Parker or Camelback design in Ohio [NB -- the oldest (SFN 07XXXX1, 1893) in Belmont County over the Ohio River Back Channel (owned by WVDOT) is slated to be demolished later this year]. It is technologically significant as on Ohio's most complete surviving examples of a sloped-chord, long-span, pin-connected highway truss bridge with typical period detailing (Criterion C). Although the truss bridge is dated 1937 by a plaque, the bridge's steel truss superstructure actually dates ca. 1900 by style, design of its members, pin connections, and its 16' deck width. According to county records, the bridge was relocated here from State Route 4 (Marysville-Marion Road) over the Scioto River in 1937. Marysville-Marion Road was taken into the state highway system as State Route 115 about 1911 and renamed State Route 4 about 1921. County highway maps from 1914 and 1919 show a bridge crossing the Scioto River at that location. The truss bridge was in all likelihood originally a county bridge prior to being taken into the state system in 1911. It was returned to county ownership when it was relocated in 1937. The salvage and relocation of old truss bridges was (and still is) a common practice, and this portability was one of the "selling points" of the technology. The original date of construction and fabricator are not noted by available records. The Parker design, with its polygonal upper chords, which save material and concentrate depth at the center of the center of the trusses where it is needed, is used because of the nearly 200' length of the span.

Date Built/Builder: 1905
Date Modified (if applicable): 1937 relocated by WPA
SFN: 5132428

Parker Pin-connected Thru Truss

193 ft in overall length 16 ft wide

​Thomas Barrett, Environmental Specialist
Cultural Resources/Historic Bridges
Office of Environmental Services
Mail Stop 4170, 3rd Floor
Division of Planning
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad St. Columbus, OH 43223
Tom.Barrett@dot.ohio.gov
(614) 466-3932

Preserved: Yes
Photos: Click here
  
County Route 340 Pony Truss over Rush Creek (project: UNI-CR340-2.46 PID 99912)

​The 2 span, 117'-long, riveted Warren with polygonal truss bridge built in 1953 is supported on concrete abutments and pier. The members are rolled steel sections. Two rail high steel channel railings have been placed inside the truss lines. Located at the intersection of Cunningham Arbela Rd. and Shertzer Rd. between Marion and Kenton. Latitude: 40.481739 Longitude: 83.433833 This bridge was determined Not Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 but is an excellent example of riveted pony truss construction commonly installed on rural and simi-urban stream crossings from the early to mid-20th Century. The Union County plans to start construction to replace the bridge in July 2019.

Date Built/Builder: 1953/Champion Bridge Co., Wilmington, OH
Date Modified (if applicable): Rehabilitated in 1993
SFN: 8037787

​Warren Riveted Pony Truss (two 58-foot spans available)

​117 feet overall (two individual 58-foot spans)
18 feet wide

Thomas P. Barrett
Historic Bridge Program Manager and State Byways Coordinator
ODOT Office of Environmental Services
1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.466.3932
tom.barret@dot.ohio.gov
Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Ridge Road Pony Truss

1948 1-span (52 Feet) Warren Welded Pony Truss. Located on TR 114 (Ridge Road) over East Branch Huron River in Bronson Township, Huron County   (Lat/Long: 41.092088 / 82.380300).

This bridge is an early version of the design conceived by Herman Rogovin, which became the most popular post-World War II truss design in Ohio and still is an important part of US Bridge Company’s catalogue; installing bolted and welded versions, internationally, as the Cambridge.
 
The bridge will be available March 2020 based on the current project schedule (HUR-TR 114-6.43 PID: 93990).

NOTE: This bridge is only available to a public agency.
Date Built/Builder: 1948 Ohio Bridge Corporation (Cambridge Ohio, now US Bridge)
Date Modified (if applicable): Rehabilitated in 1971
SFN: 3937003

Warren Welded Polygonal Pony Truss

52 feet long, roadway width is 20 feet

Thomas P. Barrett
Historic Bridge Program Manager and State Byways Coordinator
ODOT Office of Environmental Services
1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.466.3932
tom.barret@dot.ohio.gov

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Orient Bridge

1885 1- span Double Intersection Pratt (Whipple) Truss, 225 ft. long 16 ft. wide, 18.5 ft. vertical clearance. Bypassed State Route 762 over Big Darby Creek (Lat/Long: 41.092088 / 82.380300). 

225-foot, single span, 15-panel, double intersection Pratt (Whipple) truss with built-up compression members and eyebar or rod tension members. It has built-up lattice portals with urn finials and decorative builder’s plaques. The upper lateral bracing has decorative quatrefoil cut outs. Due to the great depth and length of the truss, there is lower lateral bracing composed of rods with turnbuckles. The floorbeams are supported from the lower chord pins by U-shaped hangers. The floorbeams carry metal stringers and a timber plank deck with asphalt wearing surface. The bridge is supported on ashlar stone abutments. 

This bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C as an 1880s example of the technologically significant Pratt double intersection truss, also known as the Whipple truss or the Murphy-Whipple truss.  Whipple trusses are uncommon nationally, and although there were 14 surviving examples of Whipple truss bridges in Ohio as of 2009, each of these examples is important due to the nationwide scarcity of this truss type.  This bridge is also significant under Criterion C as a rare example of work by the Cleveland Iron Bridge Company, which appears to have only been in business a short time during the 1880s.  The bridge has been bypassed, has undergone some welded repairs, and strengthening measures, and the wood deck is in poor condition.  However, the structural portion of the bridge has a good level of integrity.

Date Built/Builder: 1885 Cleveland Iron Bridge Compnay
Date Modified (if applicable): Bypassed in the 1980s
SFN: 6503764

Whipple Thru Truss​

225 feet long, roadway width is 16 feeet, vertical clearance: 18.5 feet​

 

Thomas P. Barrett
Historic Bridge Program Manager and State Byways Coordinator
ODOT Office of Environmental Services
1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.466.3932
tom.barret@dot.ohio.gov

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here
  
Florence Bridge

Fixed bridge on McLean Mill Road over Big Darby Creek

Date Built/Builder: 1912 Oregonia Bridge Company, Lebanon, Ohio
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN: 6533167

​​Metal 8 panel rivet-connected, warren through truss, fixed bridge on McLean Mill Road over Big Darby Creek​

​2 spans, 125 feet main span length, structure length of 2 spans 258 feet, roadway width is 17 feet

Anthony Neff, P.E., P.S.
Pickaway County Engineer's Department
Phone: 740-474-3360
Email: aneff@pickawaycountyohio.gov

Preserved: No
Photos: HistoricBridges.org Florence Bridge photos
  
The Prospect-Mount Vernon Bridge (MRW-PRU22-TR21)

a one-span, 5-panel pinned wrought iron pony truss. The span length is about 62’. The 2010 rating (while still in service) was 5 tons, governed by the pins and floor beam.

Date Built/Builder:
Date Modified (if applicable):
SFN:

​One-span, 5-panel pinned wrought iron pony truss

The span length is about 62’.

​Tom Barrett
614-466-3932
Thomas.Barrett@dot.ohio.gov

Preserved: No
Photos: Click here