McConnell Ford Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Bridge History and Significance

The Shelby board of commissioners held a letting for the construction of the McConnell Ford Bridge in July 1915. The Craig Construction Company of Decatur county won a $3,040 contract for the substructure, and the Central States Bridge Company of Indianapolis received the superstructure contract at $5,893. The board found the substructure as satisfactorily completed by late October. The verticals of the camelback's trusses were made of laced heavy channels of a single size divide the span into nine standard panels (three central; two for each side section; one under each endpost). Central panels have crossed diagonals; side panels angle diagonals only toward span center from the top chord. Moving from pins to bolted connections, the fabricators abandoned eyebars for angles riveted to stay plates for the diagonals and lower chord members. Girder floor-beams are bolted to gussets and vertical plates below the lower chord. McConnell Bridge was repainted in 1921 by Verlie O. Fox and by Ray Heck in 1927. 13'6" of vert clear. One of five extant bolted Camelbacks in the state, this bridge seems especially heavy for its length, using more panels, more extensive bracing, and heavier verticals than usual. The bridge retains its original members. References Butler, Fairman and Seufert, Inc., Bridge Inspection Report: Shelby County (Indianapolis, 1973). United Consulting Engineers, Inc., Bridge Reinspection Report For Shelby County (Indianapolis, 1978). Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, Shelby County: Interim Report (Indianapolis, 1992), 21-22. "Construction News," Engineering News, 22 July 1915: 57. Shelby County, "Commissioners Record," S: 417-418, 444-445; T: 262, 512-513.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes