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Madison Bridge

Keim Street Bridge

Madison Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: May 30, 2010

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Keim Street Over Schuylkill River
Location
Pottstown: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Chester County, Pennsylvania: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1935 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
92.0 Feet (28 Meters)
Structure Length
749.0 Feet (228.3 Meters)
Roadway Width
20 Feet (6.1 Meters)
Spans
8 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
46704601500190

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge's future is at risk!

Bridge Status: This historic bridge is slated for demolition and replacement!

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

This county-owned bridge is historically and technically significant as the longest surviving multi-span Warren pony truss in Pennsylvania. Long multi-span pony truss bridges are more numerous in the state of Oklahoma and surrounding areas, but are nearly unheard of in Pennsylvania, where longer spanning through truss bridges were preferred for longer bridges. The Keim Street Bridge retains excellent historic integrity with no major alterations to the truss noted. Original railing remains on the bridge which includes a single cantilevered sidewalk. The bridge is not built to the popular standard plans that were in use in Pennsylvania at the time this bridge was built. The unusual design is most apparent in the bridge's use of rolled beams for the top chord and end post instead of built-up beams. Indeed, the entire truss web is composed of rolled beams. Also, the polygonal Warren truss design was not used very frequently during this period, with the Parker truss being far more common.

Because of the statewide rarity of a bridge like this one, the preservation of this historic structure should be considered essential. Further, the physical condition of the bridge is not in very bad condition, and the bridge could easily be rehabilitated. Unfortunately however, it appears Pennsylvania wishes to further its reputation for demolishing and replacing its historic truss bridges by doing just that with this rare and significant bridge.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 8 span, 720'-long rivet-connected steel Warren (with verticals) pony truss bridge, built in 1935, is supported on stone piers and abutments with concrete caps. The truss members are rolled sections, and the bottom chords are composed of channel sections. Rolled floorbeams and stringers support the concrete deck. Angle section railings are fixed in front of the railings, and a metal railing with cast posts along the sidewalk. Although a large example, the bridge is not historically or technologically significant because it is a late and standard application of riveted Warren truss bridge technology.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road with a sidewalk over the Schuylkill River in a sparsely developed, forested setting at the southeastern end of Pottstown.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Initially No, But Later (2001), Yes (Longest multispan example of this truss type)

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Madison Bridge

 

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Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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View Video

Northbound Crossing of the Bridge

Full Motion Video
Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

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View Video

Southbound Crossing of the Bridge

Full Motion Video
Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

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Maps and Links: Madison 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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