This bridge is currently closed.
This has been in the making for some time, and a shame nonetheless. The railroads unfortunately have no interest in preserving historic bridges.
Now this one is a good add. It might not be extremely old, but it is notable as an interesting little suspension bridge.
More information on replacement.
http://columbusrailroadproject.org/flat-rock-river-bridge-tr...
What's everyone's opinion of the new "idiot bar"? Certainly better than getting wacked again
Could not get good pix or video of this fellow. Too bad! Traffic sucked.
Based on the age split of the spans, I'm fairly certain these were relocated.
Posted photos of aqueduct with repairs underway. Looks like repairs should be done by summer, though LOTS of silt needs to be dug out of miles of canal. That was a part of the cause of the aqueduct failing IMHO. I remember what it looked like 50 years ago and recently the canal has become very shabby.
Apparently, this fine structure has been damaged (it sounds very severely) in the recent flooding. A person that lives by it tells me it is permanently closed. I have not visited it. Will update when I hear more.
Here's a short video we just did on the history of the Crooked Creek Bridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VJOCzoKQks
Picture for the recent flooding we had down here. With it less then a mile upstream from the Ohio, it got really close to overrunning it. This was the crest though.
I grew up at the top of the Sugar Creek valley north of this bridge from 1957 to 1968. I could roll my bike out our driveway and coast to the bridge. It had a deck consisting of wooden blocks, end grain up. I have seen it flooded a couple times. Spent many, many childhood hours under and around that beautiful old bridge. Had I known when it was due for demolition, I would have done anything to get my hands on the maker's plate. I think there was only one, at the south end. Though listed as simply the Brown bridge, my dad said that the old timers (even to him) called it the Brank Brown Bridge. I would love to see any other existing photos.
Great little bridge!
Just missed getting this bridge, as it is being replaced right now.
The gentleman that owes the property tells of a pony truss that once crossed here, he figures at least 50 years ago.
Thanks, Luke, for posting the picture -- I'd never one of this structure before.
And thanks, Bob, for getting video of the piers.
My mom found this postcard. One Helluva Bridge!!!
was just there last Friday, 3-23-2018 abutments are still there. Thank You for this info.
at 4:16 video has abutments. https://youtu.be/_GoULIm9ghs
Of course, I live in Michigan and have driven on icy roads many times and never hit anything...
If its icy maybe he should have slowed down for a narrow one lane bridge. He is lucky he did not damage this unique, beautiful bridge which is one of my favorites. Its not just "another Pratt truss."
Was past the Aqueduct last week. The floor has been removed and I would assume is being rebuilt. The canal itself has seen some activity with the removal of silt underway. The Canal boat the "Ben Franklin III" is showing some effects from being out in the open for two winters. (It is usually under a cover in the lock south of town during winter but was on the wrong side of the aqueduct when it failed.) I don't expect to see the aqueduct repaired before at least late summer of 2018.
Article I forgot to include previously...
http://wane.com/2018/01/22/van-crashes-through-bridge-hangs-...
Closed following an accident on Jan 22 where a van slid into the railing and partially off of the bridge. Fortunately, damage appears to be minimal and limited mainly to the railing and the eyebar hangers that support the floor beam closest to the end of the bridge. The endpost and first vertical appear to have escaped damage. After the carnage in Boone County I'm thankful it wasn't worse.
The driver lost control due to icy conditions and was unhurt. It doesn't appear to have been anything more than an unfortunate accident.
Yeah Yeah Yeah...I Know it's a replacement of a beautiful bridge, BUT in a hundred years people will be looking at it like "wow, they sure did make cool back then".
Replacement is set to be bid on this spring 2018 with hopes construction might begin by fall 2018. Total replacement is planned.
was there today, 3-23-2018
Bridge looks great.
http://fox59.com/2018/03/23/bridge-replacement-project-to-be...
Darn shame. Get your final photos in soon.
It looks like there were at least 2 spans of a truss bridge here in the 1952 and 1962 images from historicaerials.com. I think from the images there is at least 1 pier to the NE that never got a span (maybe more, the images aren't great). They may have wanted to connect Jersey Avenue in the Southwest to the other side of the creek but never finished the project.
County 70 A Steuben County NY has 7 bridges over Big Creek. ALSO a couple over Big Creek Road which has 2 or 3 over Big Creek and is crossed by 70A. Run directly parallel. Have cut through there and noted plethora of bridges, notable only cause of density. Have ascertained pre 1930 many of these were bowstring ponies!Added an 8 mile stretch, next time through there will look for old abutments
Question: Is anyone familiar with another area that has a stretch on bridges on one road over such a short distance? It is only .8 miles between DCL # 46 and DCL # 50. DCL # 44 is only about a mile to the east. I think this little jog should be seen by all!
Yes, the bridge has been replaced with the MOB ped. Pieces of the original have been made into "art" (?????)
Photos 24 & 25. Also if you shut off the isometric view it clearly shows the MOB and the amphitheater.
I don't think an MOB is there. According to maps, the old bridge is still standing. Does anyone have proof that the MOB has actually replaced this bridge?
The art is clearly symbolic of man's inhumanity to bridges.
Yes, looks like a MOB took over.
Hasen't this bridge been replaced?
This bridge is deck-high with flood water. It has been a lot worse, though. 100 years, lots of flooding and farm equipment...still holding strong. Safe to say, "they don't make 'em like that anymore".
Pretty sure this isn't a pony truss, as least anymore.
For what it's worth, here is another article:
Work on covered bridge expected to start in March
Span from Shelby Co. to be rebuilt on Beanblossom Creek
Tuesday, February 18, 2018
Bloomington Herald-Times
by Ernest Rollins erollins@heraldt.com
Work on giving Monroe County a wooden covered bridge once more is expected to start in early March.
Trees and brush need to be cleared in order for the Cedsr Ford Bridge to go up in northern Monroe County. It will span Beanblossom Creek in Washington Twosnhip and connect North and Old Maple Grove roads.
It will be the only covered brodge in the county, which once had as many as 14 but has been without any for four decades. It will be a newly constructed bridge, but will use old timber from another Indiana span.
The Cedar Ford Bridge was originally constructed by the Kennedy Brothers in Shelby County in 1885. It was dismantled and the parts were relocated to Monroe County in 1975. It is a single-span bridge, 127 feet long and 15 feet, 4 inches wide. While some of the parts rotted or rusted to a point that they couldn't be used, the goal is to recreate that bridge, combining old and new materials as needed. It will be built as close as possible to where Monroe County's last remaining covered bridge stood before being destroyed in a 1976 fire.
The Cedar Ford Bridge project will also include the realignment of approximately 1,4000 feet of roadway.
Bloomington-based CLR Construction is the prime contractor on the estimated $1.58 million project. The Bloomington office of VS Engineering Inc. designed the project.
Federal funds will pay for 80 percent of the project costs, with Monroe County to contribute the remaining 20 percent. Funding for the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program will help pay for the county's share of the cost.
Unfortunately, from the highway it appears the south pony truss has collapsed. True shame.
Found the location with Tony Dillon's help. My uncle, who has passed, never documented his pictures. The locals I have spoken to verify it is the bridge.
It appears this bridge has been demolished according to some ambiguous Facebook posts. Is anyone able to verify?
It appears this bridge has been demolished according to some ambiguous Facebook posts. Is anyone able to verify?
Yes, the bridge has been reopened with once again a 12 ton limit. I didn't have a chance to get close look on what was done, like if a drainage system was installed at the north abutment. But I did notice that a rough bump was created at the north end(with grade). That could be rough on the bridge and abutment with vehicles coming down the grade and especially not noticing the bump. I wouldn't think it would cost much to correct that.
Bridge has been reopened with a new metal grate deck and a 5 ton limit. This doesn't seem like an extensive rehab. Possibly touching up on things and deck replacement. I can't help but wonder if the bridge will get an entire rehab someday.
Currently closed to all traffic tho I’m not sure if closing is permanent.
Chuckie at Wildcat Creek SIX MORE WEEKS
My uncle Adrian Ross had a thing for bridges long before I did. He has passed on and my mother has been finding a few interesting pix of bridges around Pike County, Indiana. Will post more as soon as I can identify them.
I feel that's as good a guess as anyone else could make Nathan... You are in the right vicinity of this lost town.
This is a true Mongrel if I've ever seen one! Looks like it may have been several spans judging on the width of the stream. Likely gone for a very long time.
Feel free to correct the location of this bridge. I am just guessing.
In the description it reads
(this was a conventional (2-span) structure. At some point afterwards they were reconfigured to form a side-by-side couplet) This is only partially correct.
The bridge structure was originally 4-spans rather than 2-spans. This was built in 1914 with 4-spans, each span measuring one hundred and fifty feet long for a six hundred foot long structure. After the dredges went through(1917-1922)the bridge had to be reset for the new more narrow river channel, and the County line between Newton and Lake also moved, leaving 3 of the 4 spans on Newton County side. Newton became the sole owner. Two of the four spans were kept and put side by side, one span for North 55 traffic and one span for South 55 traffic. Newton county took the other 2 spans and located them across the Iroquois River.
Know this little one-lane bridge well. She's seen a lot in her 108 years. This bridge is being replaced in April 2018 by a new I-beam/concrete structure.
Jan. 2018 the sway on the west end of the bridge does not appear to have increased over the 2006 photo above. Do not know if it naturally stabilized or had work done to it.
Charles
This bridge has now undergone some major improvements, along with some road realignment. The Knox county side roadway has been cut down considerably and that dirt moved to the Daviess county side and the road alignment there completely changed to address traffic better. The bridge has been raised almost 3 feet on the Knox county side to allow traffic to cross without impacting the end of the bridge so hard. The entire bridge has been painted a two tone gray and is really a beautiful bridge again.
Another idiot destroying a bridge.Unfortunately there was a casualty.
Destroyed by a recycling truck- driver killed.
http://m.wave3.com/wave/db_338316/contentdetail.htm?contentg...
These are the origional twin Bridges at Danville
This appeared in the Bloomington Herald-Times:
Thursday, January 4, 2018 - The Herald-Times
Covered Bridge construction to begin in spring
by Ernest Rollins (erollins@heraldt.com)
A wooden covered bridge from the 1880's is set to be reconstructed this year in northern Monroe County. It will become the only covered bridge in the country, which once had as many as 14 but has been without for four decades.
The bridge will span Beanblossom Creek and connect North Maple Grove and Old Maple Grove roads.
The Cedar Ford Bridge project is one of the top projects for 2018, said county public works director Lisa Ridge.
"It has been on the books since 2001'" Ridges said, although she is unclear why the project was delayed for so long.
The project is slated to go up very close to the location of what was Monroe County's last remaining covered bridge, known in its later years as the Williams Bridge. It was destroyed in a 1976 fire that likely was arson.
The Cedar Ford Bridge was originally built in 1885 by the Kennedy Brothers in Shelby County. It was dismantled in 1975 and acquired by Monroe County. Ridge said the project will use some parts from that bridge, which were stored in an indoor facility.
"The siding and the roof have been lost due to poor storage procedures when originally dismantled in the 1970's," Ridge said. "It will require replacement of these and of some other timbers. However, the historic integrity of the structure will remain the same throughout the design of the project."
The Bloomington office of VS Engineering Inc. designed the project and construction is expected to cost an estimated $1.58 million. County officials are using an award from the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program received in 2008 to help pay for the project.
In December 2017 I crossed this bridge. The water was clear and low. Near the middle I saw what appeared to be a number of cut stone blocks on the river bed. Might these have been from original pieces of Aqueduct? I'll try and find out more.
Between that scowl on her face and the "Battle wounds"(Cast), I wouldn't mess with her!!!
As far as my daughter is concerned, no "headache bar" is needed. She will freely supply the "headache" to you if you supply the over weight truck!
And to put a cap on it all: Drunkard's Pike dead ends on Lingle about 2 miles south.
Aged 72 years! I'll drink to that.
Oh boy!Now I heard it all!
Bridgehunting can be whisky business!
Now you're just being silly!
I always thought it was just a myth! A jim beam.
X-ray shows that it is an extremely rare Jim Beam.
Careful, you can get kicked doing it that way....
Works every time,huh Tony?
Repaired bridge will be dedicated and reopened January 3rd, 2018:
http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2017/12/historic-paoli-bri...
...I use a Stethoscope and Rubber Mallet.
Can I borrow your X-ray equipment? I can't seem to find mine in all the holiday clutter....
Get right on it!
Good find!!!
Probably not a T beam. This could be concrete encased steel stringers or a concrete pony girder.
Is it asking too much for people to get X-rays of important structural elements when they go to take photos??
I think this bridge has been replaced
Glad to hear it will have a functional yet also thoughtful design of headache bar. Its important. One of the first "saves" I was involved with was the Balls Bridge in Canada, and it has one of the nicest headache bars I've ever seen, and it also mimics details on the bridge too. Due to the design of the road, one of the bars is at the top of the hill so its not anywhere near the bridge at all, its near an intersection with a busier road, and they also put the interpretive signs for the bridge there. In this way, the headache bar is actually also an advertisement for the bridge, catching people's eye and encouraging them to come visit the bridge. http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=on...
This bridge will feature off-structure height limit bars that mimic the sway bracing of the bridge! I have long lamented the importance of using these (at a distance not to distract from the photogenic element), but this is taking it to the next step in putting up more than just I-beam Headache bars! Fantastic!!
Much better story than the first one I read that didn't even acknowledge it as an Historic Bridge! Boone County is to be highly commended for not only rehabilitating this and the Creek Road Bridge initially... but showing the resolve to do it again!
Does anyone have an update on the status of this bridge? Would be great to see it again!
I am pretty sure you have the wrong geolocation on your map. This bridge was actually farther north on Willow Road on part of a now vacated section of the road east of US 421. Willow Road used to connect to Little Eagle Creek avenue, and the bridge collapsed over Little Eagle Creek. When the bridge collapsed, the road was closed and converted into private driveways on each side of Little Eagle Creek.
C'mon Bartholomew County! Hope it gets repaired!!
I wonder....could it be the same clown that trashed Creek Bridge?? Probably not, but food for thought. Looks a lot worse than Gospel Street Bridge in Paoli.
heard over the weekend that all decking had been removed and thought that this was the beginning of the end. then this morning saw Heavy equipment and a trailer full of heavy I beams. drove by and there were folks getting ready to do work??? saw an article in the republic dated July 2017 that this was on a list of the top 5 bridges to be rehabilitated in the county???
That was not a small tractor... it would take an impressive level of stupidity to do this. Ridiculous and completely unacceptable. This person must have the brain of a earthworm.
The sad carnage. Photos from the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
There are few things that would concern me more gravely than the fear of this fine website being polluted by the filth of political bickering.
The various factions who contribute to this website would do well to focus their attention on preserving the bridges what stand as reminders of our shared heritage.
There are Democratic voters who love bridges and there are Republican voters who love bridges. If only they could unite behind the common goal of preserving our beautiful structures they would undoubtedly be successful in their joint endeavor. Political strife will be of no benefit to any factions who contribute their knowledge to Bridgehunter.
It was nearly a year that the Creek Bridge in Boone County was heavily damaged under similar circumstances. It's still unrepaired.
That would explain who so many people voted for Trump.
I believe that not only are a lot of people idiots, but number one: THEY DON'T CARE!
A very sad day for Bridge Lovers of Indiana. I've been to this bridge. She was a Beautiful Old Lady.
For whatever it is worth, I actually saw a similar size tractor attempt to cross the Turkey River Bowstring Bridge in Winneshiek County, Iowa several years ago.
I thought for sure I was about to witness a bridge collapse, but that old Bowstring bridge held fast. I figured that I would be the last person to successfully cross the bridge but the tractor made it across as well.
Oh, wait farm tractor...No CDL needed...still something a monkey might pull off...
Do they give CDLs to monkeys now??????
Honestly, this is getting pathetic. Do these large vehicle operators know how much their vehicles weigh?
Lost, as of last night...
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2017/12/03/tractor...
It looks like riveted trusses with welded floor beams and outriggers. Could it be repurposed roof trusses?
Could the bridge have been moved here? If so, it might actually pre-date 2003. Even if it is modern, it is more interesting than the mass produced MOBs in my opinion.