Steele Road Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Statement of Significance

The design of this structure is quite conventional for the period. It follows IDH patterns established in the 1920s, except that some truss members are a bit heavier than was typical in the previous decade. Variations between panels in the diagonals and lower chord members reflect additional stiffening. The bridge retains its original latticed guardrails.

Architectural Description

The Indiana Department of Highways continued to design riveted Warren pony trusses throughout the 1930s for some spans requiring less than 100'. Brown County had each truss of this structure cut into three sections and moved from a state highway to its current location where the trusses and floor beams were bolted into place.

The bridge consists of a single, half-hip span of 84' in seven panels erected upon replacement concrete abutments and wingwalls. Its diagonals are made from a pair of angles which are heavier at the endposts than towards center span. The lower-chord members are also varied in size, the outer-panel ones being fabricated from a pair of angles and battens and the inner ones each using two pairs of angles. The verticals consist of two pairs of angles riveted together with batten plates shared with the external braces. The battens integrate the sway bracing with the vertical members. The I floor beams are bolted to gussets and the verticals above the lower chord and carry a fairly new concrete deck with its 22' roadway.

ALTERATIONS: New concrete deck, replacement concrete abutments & wingwalls, additional stiffening to diagonals & lower chord members.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes