Middlebury Street Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Statement of Significance

A noted regional engineer designed this structure, one of the very few built in Elkhart during the Depression. The bridge retains its architectural and structural integrity.

Architectural Description

As the Great Depression gripped the United States, Indiana's counties increasingly shifted their inadequate resources from construction to welfare. Many counties stopped building bridges altogether. The cities were more likely to continue a limited program of construction on high-priority sites. This bridge is one of approximately two dozen reinforced concrete filled-spandrel arches built in Indiana cities from 1930-1941.

Willima S. Moore desgined and Bontrager Construction Company built the 162' structure consisting of three 53' spans. All the rings are three-centered and quite flat. The central span is symmetrical and springs from 12' up on the piers. The outer rings are unsymmetrical and fuller towards the abutments where they spring from only 3' above the ground level. Cantilevered about 5' beyond the spandrel walls, brackets support eh concrete sidewalks which flank the 42' asphalt roadway. The original coped and balustraded parapet walls remain at the approaches but have been replaced with metal railings over the spans.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes