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Abandoned and deteriorating, this is an exceedingly rare example of a combination truss, using both timber and metal in its construction. Built in 1920, it is a bit of an anomaly, as most combination bridges were built in the 19th century as builders and engineers experimented with and transitioned to using metal in bridge construction instead of timber. Reglardless of its late construction date, its traditional pin-connected construction still accurately documents what a timber/metal combination truss looks like.
Information and Findings From Iowa's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge Now abandoned with its stringers and deck removed,
the Red Bridge spans the Yellow River northeast of Postville, in
Franklin Township. The structure dates to 1920. That year the Allamakee
County Engineer designed this 98-foot timber truss--the first bridge at
this crossing--estimated its cost at $2,500, and let a series of private
contracts for its fabrication and erection. The Worden-Allen Company of
Milwaukee provided the structural steel, City Lumber provided the
timbers, a man named Ryerson provided the hardware, and local contractor
A.L. Powell built the truss. Total cost of the bridge was $2,304.74.
Called the Red Bridge, the Yellow River Bridge or Oelberg Bridge
locally, this timber truss featured a Pratt configuration, with timber
compression members and forged iron tension members. The upper-chord
timbers are bolted to the timber verticals using iron plates; the iron
eye-rod lower chords are pinned to the verticals. From these pins the
floor beams are hung using U-bolts. The Red Bridge carried traffic until
its later closure (at an unknown date). The timber deck and stringers
were subsequently removed, and the bridge now stands abandoned in
deteriorating condition. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes |
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