View Information About HSR Ratings
This bridge was originally built as a railroad bridge to carry a single railroad line of the Virginia Midland Railway over an unknown crossing. It was one of a number of bridges built by Keystone Bridge Company at this time. Between 1903 and 1904 these bridges were replaced. One of the spans was relocated, either immediately at that time, or at least before 1928, to this location at Aden Road where it became a highway bridge carrying traffic over the railroad line.
This bridge is a highly significant historic bridge. It represents an earlier era of railroad bridge construction of which very little remains. The bridge is not as rare and old as the first metal railroad bridges from the 1850s-1870s which often featured cast iron and rare truss designs such as the Bollman and Fink. However, the bridge is almost as rare since although it utilizes a more traditional wrought iron pin-connected Pratt truss design, it was still built in an earlier era of railroad bridge construction where railroad bridges were fairly lightweight in construction. Bridges from these earlier eras were so lightweight that as railroad loads rapidly increased from the 1880s into the 20th Century, nearly all of these earlier railroad bridges were replaced with much more massive railroad bridges, many of which survive today. Indeed, the Aden Road Bridge appears to be an example of this trend, since it was replaced after just over 20 years of service, a very short time. Because the bridge was likely replaced only because it was not strong enough and was still in good condition, the railroad decided to reuse the bridge as a highway bridge, where traffic loads would have been much less demanding.
As an early pin-connected Pratt truss, the Aden Road Bridge contains distinctive details, evidence of how engineers were still experimenting with different design details for truss bridges and had not moved toward the use of standardized details yet. Unusual details include the overhead lateral bracing rod connections to the ends of the struts, and the use of v-lacing instead of cover plate on the top of the top chords and end posts. Also noteworthy is the lightweight portal bracing that includes a decorative circular portal knee brace. Finally, the attachments between the floor beams and the bottom chord connections is unusual.
Above: Bridge before one-way couplet project.
This bridge is tagged with the following special condition(s): Trusses Converted To Decorative and Unorganized Photos
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.
Additional Maps:
Google Streetview (If Available)
GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)
Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)
Apple Maps (Apple devices only)
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)
© 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.
