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This bridge is an impressive example of a Strauss type heel-trunnion bascule bridge. This particular example has an unusual detail especially compared to the few other heel-trunnion bridges found in this region of California. The towers for each of the counterweights normally assumes a triangle shape under the counterweight. In many cases, including with the other heel-trunnion bascule bridges in this region, the tower (just by chance) also functions as a very short span of the bridge. On the Freeport Bridge however, the counterweight tower has been enlarged and extended so that it is much longer and takes on the form of a Pratt through truss. As a result, the counterweight tower also functions as an approach span of substantial length. Doing this would either reduce the number of approach spans the bridge needed, or reduced the length of other approach spans. As such, this extension of the counterweight tower was likely a purposeful decision to achieve one of those benefits.
The bridge also includes a fixed Warren pony truss approach span (101 feet long), as well as a couple stringer spans. These spans are not original to the bridge. The Warren pony truss was added to the east end of the bridge in 1938. In 1955 an extremely rare and unusual feature... two Kingpost truss spans... were removed and replaced with the steel stringer spans.
Although the bridge tender house is not original (estimated date ca. 1997), the remainder of the bridge appears to be largely unaltered and thus the bridge's historic integrity is good. Charles W. Deterding was the county engineer when this bridge was built.
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