Historic Bridges of the U.S. | Tennessee River Bridge

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Photos

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The replacement slab

The historic truss is gone, replaced by the flat slab. The old bridge was a constant source of complaints for being too narrow and too dangerous. It carried the northbound traffic of US 231.

A near-twin was built next to the original, that is extant and carries the southbound lanes of US 231/AL 53. Photos of that bridge follow.

The replacement was built between the historic truss bridges and currently carries the northbound lanes.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The approach to the extant through truss

The new slab bridge appears to the left.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The north portal

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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Truss structure

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The south approach to the bridges

Note the approach to the lost truss bridge to the right. A new bridge will eventually be built there to replace the extant truss bridge. The new bridge will carry the northbound traffic and the extant slab will be switched to carry southbound traffic.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The west face

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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Undercarriage detail

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The east face and undercarriage

As seen from the south shore

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

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The east face

As seen from the north shore

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

View high-res version

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North approach

The new slab is to the right.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2007

View high-res version

Map

Vicinity Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Facts

Overview: Through truss bridge over Tennessee River on US 231/AL 53 in Huntsville
Location: Huntsville, Morgan County, Alabama
Status: Open to traffic
History: Built 1931
Design: Through truss
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 288.1 ft.
Total length: 1,852.1 ft.
Deck width: 19.7 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 14.2 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude: +34.56667, -86.56667 (decimal degrees)
34°34'00" N, 86°34'00" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Inventory numbers: AL 916 (Alabama bridge number)
BH 10177 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection (as of 05/2004): Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Fair (5 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Fair (5 out of 9)
Appraisal: Structurally deficient
Sufficiency rating: 8.7 (out of 100)
Average daily traffic (as of 2003): 11,320

Update Log

January 26, 2008: New photos from J.R. Manning

Sources

J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

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Comments

Tennessee River Bridge

Posted January 29, 2008, by James McCray (jamesinslocomb [at] yahoo [dot] com)

Well, I guess that Mr. Manning got to the bridge before I did. Oh well! Here are the pictures that I took of the bridge. I also remember crossing the old (northbound 231) bridge. It was torn down in 2006 I think. I got good pictures of the remaining truss (southbound 231) bridge because I ran up to the approach to the bridge and took the pictures when there was a break in the traffic. I do not advise anyone to do what I did, however!