Herndon Bypass Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The one-span, 158'-long, rivet-connected Parker thru truss bridge built in 1941 has built-up chords, rolled section diagonals and verticals, metal railings, concrete deck, rolled floorbeams and stringers, and concrete abutments with flared wingwalls. The bridge is a late example of the Parker truss type, a variation of the Pratt truss with polygonal top chord, developed in the 1870s and patented by engineer Charles H. Parker. The truss type was adopted by the state highway department in the late 1920s as a standard design for long-span crossings. It was used extensively through the 1930s, with over 80 post-1925 examples identified. This 1941 example has no noteworthy features. Earlier examples of rivet-connected Parker trusses better illustrate the historical and technological significance of the bridge type. The bridge is not historically distinguished by its setting or context.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in a sparsely developed, rural area with scattered 20th-century residences. The setting does not appear to have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No