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Fruitville Road Bridge

Fruitville Road Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: May 30, 2010

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Fruitville Road Over Perkiomen Creek
Location
Rural: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: United States
Structure Type
Metal 6 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Stone Semicircular Deck Arch, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1905 By Builder/Contractor: Eyre Construction Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rehabilitation Date
1999
Main Span Length
102.0 Feet (31.1 Meters)
Structure Length
451.0 Feet (137.5 Meters)
Roadway Width
16 Feet (4.88 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
46704604100232

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

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

This beautiful bridge is a truly unique structure. On its own, the through truss main span is an attractive, traditionally composed example of its type, made noteworthy by its being a documented example of a bridge built by local bridge company Eyre Construction Company. But it is the addition of the stone approach system that truly makes this bridge unique. For the creek it crosses and the design of the main span, the 300+ foot stone arch approach is somewhat of a suprise. The design of the approach is itself unusual aside from its length, it consists of six stone arch spans prsented in two groups of three. The stone arch groups are seperated from each other, the main span, and the western end of the bridge by sections of earthen causeway which is held by stone retaining walls. The unusual design of this bridge is to accomodate the nature of the creek at this location, which splits at this point to form a small, low-lying island. The truss span crosses the largest channel on the east end, while one of the stone arch groups crosses the narrower channel, and the other stone arch group serves to accomodate the island which is also flood plain.

This bridge was rehabilitated in 1962-1963 as well as in 1999.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 626'-long and 16'-wide bridge is really a stone viaduct with two, 3-span stone arch spans and a 110'-long, pin connected, Pratt thru truss main span that carries the roadway over two streams and related flood plain. The two 78'-long, three span, stone arch sections have coursed, dressed red-colored stone spandrel walls and stepped parapets originally finished with bluestone cap stones. The truss bridge is traditionally composed with the floor beams above the lower chords. The 1905 viaduct is a late example of both bridge technologies, but it is historically and technologically significant as a complete example of a stone arch bridge built in the early 20th century in Montgomery County. It represents better than most other extant examples of the technical and aesthetic preferences of the county at the turn of the century. Twenty one of the 57 extant stone arch bridges in the county were built in the 20th century.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries one lane of a county road over two streams and a flood plain in a rural area that is redeveloping with modern houses. The East Greenville waterworks buildings (1894 and 1939) are at the east side of the long bridge. The waterworks may be a potential historic district.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Fruitville Road Bridge

 

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Maps and Links: Fruitville Road 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.

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