HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


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

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Grantsville Bridge

Grantsville Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: July 1, 2006 and July 6, 2014

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
US-40 Alt Over Casselman River
Location
Grantsville: Garrett County, Maryland: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1932 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
2008
Main Span Length
133.0 Feet (40.5 Meters)
Structure Length
137.0 Feet (41.8 Meters)
Roadway Width
40 Feet (12.19 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
100000110007010

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

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

View The Historic Bridge Inventory Report For This Bridge

This bridge is a beautiful historic companion to the even older and more significant Casselman Bridge. Indeed the views of the Grantsville Bridge from the Casselman Bridge are spectacular, with the ugly, modern I-68 Bridge being the only scar on an otherwise pristine calendar-photo-quality landscape of historic bridge and mountains.

The truss bridge is an excellent representation of the standard plan design that Maryland employed for truss bridges in the 1930s. During the first half of the 20th century, states designed standard plans for bridges. It is often interesting to compare the designs that each state created for their truss bridges. Maryland's design appears to feature a wider deck than other states employed, unless this bridge was originally designed to accommodate more lanes of traffic than the two it holds today. Wide shoulders are present on the bridge.  The Maryland design features extensive use of rolled beams as opposed to built-up members, giving the structure a more plain appearance than similar bridges in other states. Only the chords and some parts of the sway bracing are built-up. V-lacing occurs on the sway bracing beams, while lattice is on the underside of the top chord and end post box beams. The bottom chord sections are connected via battens. The Grantsville Bridge is also a skewed example of the design. Pole railings appear to be the original railings that remain on the bridge, while modern Armco style railings appear below those.

This bridge is locally significant as the last truss bridge remaining in the county, at least on public highways. There was apparently a pin-connected truss bridge near this bridge on River Road, but that apparently does not exist anymore. Given this fact, as well as the fact that the bridge is plenty wide for a modern highway, the preservation of this bridge for continued vehicular use in place seems a worthy cause.

This bridge is listed on Maryland's Historical Trust website as a state-identified historic place.

One interesting observation on this bridge is that the paint system is showing rust on the threads of the (non-original) bolts on the bridge. Perhaps the sharp edges of bolts develop rust quicker than the smooth round heads of rivets. Perhaps if historically correct rivets were used in rehabilitation a longer paint service life might also be achieved.


This bridge is tagged with the following special condition(s): Unorganized Photos

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Grantsville Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

A supplemental collection of photos that are from additional visit(s) to the bridge and have not been organized or captioned. This photo gallery contains a combination of Original Size photos and Mobile Optimized photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

2014 Additional Unorganized Photos

Original / Full Size Photos
A supplemental collection of photos that are from additional visit(s) to the bridge and have not been organized or captioned. 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

2014 Additional Unorganized Photos

Mobile Optimized Photos
A supplemental collection of photos that are from additional visit(s) to the bridge and have not been organized or captioned. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Grantsville Bridge

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