View Information About HSR Ratings
This
bridge was built by a noteworthy and long-lived bridge company. Formed in
1886 by the purchase of the Indianapolis Bridge Company and relocation of
that company from Indianapolis, Indiana to Muncie, Indiana, the Indiana
Bridge Company appears to be one of the few bridge companies from this
period that is still in business today. Pictured to the left is an
advertisement for the Indiana Bridge Company in 1893. The ad appeared in a
magazine called "Paving and Municipal Engineering." The Indiana Bridge
Company was very prolific particularly in its home state of Indiana. However
surviving examples of the bridge company's work in other states such as Iowa
are becoming uncommon.
The Old Bridge Road Bridge is a good representative example of the work being done by the Indiana Bridge Company in the early 20th Century. As a 1906 Pratt through truss with pinned connections, the bridge is typical of of a late example of a pin-connected truss bridge. In 1906 pin-connections were increasingly giving way to riveted connections due to the newfound ability to field rivet more easily. However pin-connected truss bridges continued to be built as well especially during the first 10 years of the 20th Century.
The composition of the truss is as follows: Panels: Six. Top chord and end post: back-to-back channels with cover plate and v-lacing. Hip verticals: loop-forged eyebars. Other verticals: back-to-back channels with v-lacing on each side. Bottom chord: loop-forged eyebars. Portal bracing: Traditional A-frame composed of single and paired angles. Sway bracing: unusually configured lightweight design including riveted angles. Lateral bracing: rod. Floor beams: Rolled American Standard Beams (i-beams). Railing: Modern Armco guardrails, no original railing. Deck: wooden deck with no additional wearing surface.
The bridge does not have paint on it and the bridge has rusted, however the bridge does not seem to exhibit significant/severe section loss or pack rust, particularly at the bottom chord connections which would typically display these problems on a bridge especially a bridge like this one that is likely built of steel and not rust-resistant wrought iron. The relatively good condition of this bridge is likely due to its location on a quiet rural road that does not see corrosive de-icing salts.
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.
Additional Maps:
Google Streetview (If Available)
GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)
Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)
Apple Maps (Apple devices only)
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)
© 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.
