HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Bar Mills Bridge

Memorial Bridge

Bar Mills Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: June 16, 2012

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
ME-4A (Main Street) Over Saco River
Location
Hollis and Buxton: York County, Maine: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1937 By Builder/Contractor: Boston Bridge Works of Boston, Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Date
1987
Main Span Length
224.0 Feet (68.3 Meters)
Structure Length
512.0 Feet (156.1 Meters)
Roadway Width
22 Feet (6.71 Meters)
Spans
3 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
3333

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge no longer exists!

Bridge Status: Demolished and replaced.

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

View Original Plans For This Bridge

This bridge is one of only three known examples of continuous trusses in Maine that display the appearance of a very long simple span truss supported by piers. In this design, the truss has no "cantilever truss shape." Continuous trusses of this design are also extremely rare nationwide. Each of Maine's three examples of this design are distinctly unique, each employing different truss arrangements. Despite that fact, all three were built at around the same time. It is unknown why there is such a variance in design.  The other two bridges are the West Buxton Bridge and the Lisbon Falls Bridge. Because each bridge is rare, both in Maine and nationwide, and given the unique appearance of each, the preservation of each example should be given a high priority.

The Bar Mills Bridge is noted for its top chord, which remains parallel to the bottom chord throughout its length, making the bridge a trapezoidal truss, unusual for a bridge of this length. The bridge appears to retain excellent historic integrity with no significant alterations noted. The bridge was built as a World War I memorial bridge, and a memorial plaque is located separate of the bridge a short distance east of the bridge. Immediately west of the bridge, the Bar Mills Canal Bridge, a single span simple through truss is present.

Despite the bridge's relatively good condition, MaineDOT is attempting to develop a project to demolish and replace this historic bridge. Fortunately, this attempt has triggered a Section 106 review process to consider alternatives to destroying the historic bridge. It is hoped that the Section 106 process will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner, and reveal an alternative that avoids adverse effect to the historic bridge. The reality is that the bridge is in decent condition, with no severe deterioration noted, even on the bottom chord, where deterioration is usually the worst. Some areas of deterioration noted, such as isolated areas of complete section loss on the bottom chord, could be easily corrected by replacing the lacing bars that exhibit the section loss. Even the National Bridge Inventory sufficiency rating, which usually far underestimates the rehabilitation potential of a historic truss bridge, rates the bridge at 48.6% as of 2011, a mere 1.4 percentage points into the zone where federal demolition and replacement funds become available. Additionally, it is not apparent that the bridge would need to be replaced to accommodate trucks or more heavy traffic. Located a mere mile south of this bridge is the US-202 bridge. This bridge and highway is designed to accommodate heavy traffic, and it connects to the same roads as ME-4A. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that maintaining the Bar Mills Bridge for light, local traffic is the best use of tax dollars.

Information and Findings From Maine's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

"The 1937, continuous, riveted, Warren thru truss bridge is technologically significant as an early application of the continuous design. The first examples in Maine were for replacements of bridges lost in the March, 1936 flood. This is one of 25 bridges built by MSHC to replace lost bridges, and it is one of 3 continuous-design Warren truss bridges built by the commission in 1936-37 as flood replacement bridges. All three early examples, including #3340 and #3334, are historically and technologically significant. The significance of the bridge is linked to the continuous design. The bridge is judged to have average preservation priority because an example of a bridge type that is considered common in the state."

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Bar Mills Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Structure Overview

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Structure Details

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Structure Overview

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Structure Details

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Video

Westbound Crossing

Full Motion Video
Includes a crossing of the nearby canal bridge. Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

Divider

View Video

Eastbound Crossing

Full Motion Video
Includes a crossing of the nearby canal bridge. Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

Divider

Maps and Links: Bar Mills Bridge

This historic bridge has been demolished. This map is shown for reference purposes only.

Demolished 2017.

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider