Fairhaven Bridge

Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory

Setting/Context

The single-span, 87-foot-long, Pratt, pin-connected, through truss, is one of 15 extant examples there were constructed after 1899 according to the Ohio Historic Bridge Inventory Database. There are currently 3 considered eligible for the National Register and one listed on the National Register within this subcategory of bridges from the same era.

Physical Description

The bridge retains most of its original integrity in design and materials, and features: rivet-connections, complete lattice railings, and has double eyebars at the bottom chords, as the end vertical members, and diagonals. Based on the portal bracing's design, it was thought to have been built by the Brookville Bridge Company. However, Preble County has Indiana Bridge Company plans that indicate that this and TR 445 were constructed by Indiana Bridge Company.

Integrity

The bridge retains most of its original integrity in design and materials, and features: rivet-connections, complete lattice railings, and has double eyebars at the bottom chords, as the end vertical members, and diagonals.

Summary of Significance

In 2008 the bridge superstructure was recorded as being replaced; "The 1907 truss is gone". However, based on the 2012 ODOT project package, the 1907 truss still there according to D-8 2/18/2011.

Notes

On replacement list. 2/18/ 2011 D-8 reports superstructure is in place. Scheduled for replacement, pending a reevaluation.). In 2008, our inventory notes stated that the bridge "superstructure was recently replaced" (R. Smith 3/08). Therefore, the bridge was placed into the Ohio Historic Bridge Inventory Database's "Morgue" file for replaced structures. Consequently, the bridge was not evaluated and not included in the Ohio DOT Historic Bridge Inventory Summary and Tables Survey Forms for Eligible/National Register Listed Bridges (December 2009), accepted on April 28,2010. Based on the bridge's updated status from replaced to Eligible, in accordance with Appendix C, Stipulation 1 of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement executed on November 30, 2011 (Agreement No. 16734): "FHWA and ODOT will ensure that through ODOT's Project Development Process (PDP), all feasible and prudent alternatives to replacement of a historic bridge are explored in the project scoping phase of the undertaking. Rehabilitation is preferred until proven infeasible or not a prudent use of public funding. Rehabilitation for vehicular use must be thoroughly evaluated before other alternatives are considered. Rehabilitation alternatives must consider a one-way pair alternative that involves rehabilitating the existing bridge and constructing a new parallel bridge, when applicable. If rehabilitation is not feasible and prudent, then bypassing it with an agreement to maintain the bridge, or relocation for another use must also be considered. Please refer to AASHTO's Guidelines for Historic Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement (2008) and ODOT's Ohio Historic Bridge Maintenance and Preservation Guidance (2010)." A letter of commitment from the Preble County Historical Society dated November 7, 2012, was received by ODOT to take ownership of the bridg3e and preserve it on the Society's property at 7693 Swartsel Road, Eaton Ohio, as funds become available.

Justification

It is our finding, in accordance with Stipulation 2(B)(3) and Appendix C, Stipulation 4 of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement executed on November 30, 2011 (Agreement No. 16734), which states that FHWA, ODOT and SHPO agree that the historic status of a bridge may change based on significant new information, ); that the bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register of historic places under Criterion C as a surviving example of an early 20th century Pin connected truss bridge built in the state of Ohio with good association. The bridge is situated in a rural setting on a township route with very low traffic volume (<400 ADT). It has been closed to traffic for several years with at least one detour, less than a mile north on Four Mile Road. The less than 100-foot-span makes it a good candidate for relocation or reuse, elevating its preservation potential (TPB 9/11/2012).

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes