Historic Bridges of the U.S.

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Overview: Through truss bridge over Sexton Creek on Old Illinois Route 3 just off New Route 3 near Gale
Location: Alexander County, Illinois
Status: Open to two-lane traffic with a 36 ton weight limit
History: Built 1933; bypassed by new bridge in 1990
Design: From north to south:
One riveted, 5-panel Pratt pony truss
One riveted, 9-panel Pratt through truss
One riveted, 6-panel Pratt pony truss
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 172.2 ft.
Total length: 336.9 ft.
Deck width: 23.0 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 15.3 ft.
Recognition: Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Approximate latitude, longitude: +37.24786, -89.44835 (decimal degrees)
37°14'52" N, 89°26'54" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Land survey: T. 15 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 4
Inventory numbers: IL 002-0009 (Illinois bridge number)
BH 15013 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection (as of 12/2005): Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Serious (3 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Fair (5 out of 9)
Appraisal: Structurally deficient
Sufficiency rating: 30.4 (out of 100)
Average daily traffic (as of 2002): 275

Gale Bridge

Posted September 17, 2006, by Robert Boettcher (robertboettcher [at] hotmail [dot] com)

I remember going across that Bridge,

almost every schoolday.

Our Bus, every morning, and afternoon,

went over that Bridge to pick-up,

or let-off, my many, old, school-friends

that went to McClure, Elem., and Shawnee Jr.,Sr.High.

It's still there.

I have just come from there.

It is still in use, yet very rusty.

I used to play pool

with the locals, and school-mates,

at the still remaining "Goods" store.

It wasn't open, and, to be honest,

it looked like it was/has been long shuttered.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Because I know, I saw,

that there are still people

living nearby in the few old houses

that still stand in that very old area.

Sincerely, Robert Boettcher

314.520.1182