HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Black Bridge

Black Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: August 19, 2011 and June 15, 2012

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Railroad (Maine Central) and Bridge Street Over Androscoggin River
Location
Brunswick and Topsham: Cumberland County, Maine: United States
Structure Type
Metal 12 Panel Rivet-Connected Modified Warren (Subdivided) Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Metal Through Girder, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1909 By Builder/Contractor: Pennsylvania Steel Company of Steelton, Pennsylvania
Rehabilitation Date
1957
Main Span Length
Not Available
Structure Length
318.0 Feet (96.9 Meters)
Roadway Width
12.5 Feet (3.81 Meters)
Spans
2 Main Span(s) and 2 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
Not Applicable

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge has been altered, resulting in a severe loss of historic integrity and significance!

Bridge Status: This historic bridge's unique suspended deck was demolished by MaineDOT!

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Documentation For This Bridge

HAER Data Pages, PDF

This double deck bridge is one of the most unusual and unique bridges in Maine due to its suspended highway deck which runs under the truss of this bridge. The truss also has a deck in the "normal" place for railroad traffic. Structurally, the bridge is essentially a rivet-connected railroad through truss bridge with no unusual details aside from its use of a Warren truss that is subdivided in a manner similar to a Baltimore truss. However, there is one detail on the truss superstructure that is unique which is the bottom chord connections also have pins in them. These pins hold eyebars which in turn connect to pins at the floorbeams under the bridge which hold the unique suspended highway deck. The lightweight pin-connected nature of the suspended highway deck is a stark contrast to the riveted connections of the truss superstructure. Double-deck bridges are rare, but what is particularly noteworthy is this use of a pin-connected system for the suspended lower deck, as well as the fact that the lower deck is completely suspended below the truss. More commonly, a double-deck truss bridge either has both decks stacked within the truss superstructure, or it has one deck on top of the truss (like a deck truss) while the lower deck runs along the bottom chord level like a through truss.

This bridge was closed to the one-lane traffic it served in 2011 following a vehicle collision with some of the suspenders and subsequent discovery of deterioration in the floor beams and deck surface. MaineDOT apparantly has little interest in preserving this historic bridge since, without hiring any engineers with experience rehabilitating historic bridges to do a detailed study of alternatives, they put out a press release essentially condemning the suspended deck of the bridge to demolition. The exact quote from MaineDOT was "In order to reopen the bridge to vehicle traffic, the entire vehicle portion of the bridge would need to be replaced." This was following an in-depth inspection. In-depth inspections identify problems, but do not necessarily confirm solutions. For such a unique structure, consultation and study with a firm active in preservation of historic bridges is needed. The truth is likely that the suspended structure does not need to be replaced but could instead be repaired, which would retain the unique deck design, as well as the original, unaltered and historically significant materials such as the eyebar hangers.

Information and Findings From Maine's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The Free/Black bridge, a 318' long bridge with two, riveted, Baltimore thru truss spans and a 26' long built up stringer approach span (#0999) at the north end. It was built in 1909 to replace a double-decker bridge. This bridge has a deck suspended from the lower chords to carry one lane of vehicular traffic. The upper level carries one track of a minor branch line of the Maine Central RR that was built between Brunswick and Leeds in 1861. The bridge was determined eligible for the National Register by the MHPC in 2000. It is one of four Baltimore truss bridges built between 1890 and 1928. Other double-deck bridges is the state include the Carlton Bridge, a vertical lift bridge at Bath and the Sarah Mildred Long bridge at Kittery, also a vertical lift. There the railroad is on the lower level. The detail of the suspended roadway from the lower chords of the truss is unique, but it appears to be more expedient than technologically innovative. There is also a thru girder span at the south end of the upper level truss bridge, that was placed in 1957, that carries the railroad over US Route 1 (Mill Street) (#0333).

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Black Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Black Bridge

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.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

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)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© 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.

Admin Login

Divider