Sugar Creek IN 39 Bridge

Matt and Tony,speaking of PennDOT i read in the local paper here in Reading Pa that PennDOT is having financial problems concerning long range infrastructure funding which means possibly bridge projects will be pushed back further for repair or replacement.I do agree that PennDOT has their way of thinking which doesn't sit well with people and I have my opinion which I can't print here due to a lot of cuss words.I'll keep everybody informed what happens with PennDOT and their funding problems for bridge projects.

You're spot on there, Tony. Indiana is light years ahead of my home state of Wisconsin on the preservation front; WisDOT is more like PennDOT in my estimation, and county level entities aren't any better. The entire state has only a handful of metal truss bridges still in service, and they seem intent to blow every one of them away, one by one. I live near Milwaukee, and the closest one that I can think of is 3 counties away. It's a crying shame to say the least!

They have actually rehabbed quite a few Matt, just not all of the remaining ones like I think they should!

Definitely still several steps above PennDOT.

They must be trying to take cues from PennDOT’s “Save None Trash All” program, Tony!

Yes, part of INDOT's "Save One-Trash One" program I believe! They just restored the one in Evansville so...

So Tony. I gather you're hearing that this bridge is to be replaced?

From what I read it's more than repairs, although I would be more than happy if you are right and I am wrong!

This bridge is out for repairs now! IN 39 is closed.

Harley, I can pretty much assure you that any of these state built spans from the 30's and 40's did indeed replace earlier structures! Most state highways were important early roads that were taken over by the state starting in the 1920's, and many of those had bridges that were quickly deemed inadequate for heavier traffic.

Our county board soon recognized the necessity of better crossings over the streams of the county. At the June session of 1870, seven thousand dollars was appropriated to erect a 130-foot iron span bridge on stone work near Thorntown, over Sugar Creek; also five thousand dollars to erect a similar structure over Eagle Creek at Zionsville, and four thousand dollars for one over Sugar Creek at Mechanicsburg. The erection of these three structures were all made out of general county revenue. For ten years our county fathers were content without further bridge accommodations.

If this was built in the 1940's, there must have been one previous.

My thanks to the webmaster on the posting of my bridge pics.

Was wondering why the pics I took of this bridge hasn't been made permanent. I've seen where the admins will add the bridges to the detail section, and the credit of the photographer duly noted.

Shame there isn't a photo for this bridge. Can anyone go out and take photos then upload them? Because this bridge is truly a beautiful bridge and should have photos.