Fort Ritner Bridge

I don't remember what was spent on the Brooks Bridge, but even that was only to address the most critical things. I remember the cover plates on the top chords had some issues that weren't addressed. I do seem to remember some of the things you were speaking of... pack rust and section loss at the lower pin connections that were addressed.

Hi Nathan - when I did my bridge inspections, there was a fair amount of pack rust and pronounced section loss in numerous members at the pin joints. The section loss was not easy to quantify as it took a lot of chipping and scratch brush cleaning to remove enough of the pack rust to get a good look (and good measurements so that I could complete the load rating). I remember it took myself and another inspector nearly an entire day to inspect. When I was just recently out there, I didn't really look too hard but much of the deterioration was about what I remembered.

This bridge could be rehabilitated; the big question is to what level of service and load carrying capacity is desired. The problem that I often saw on many county bridges with restrictive load limits posted was the large number of very heavy farm equipment that routinely ignored these posted load limits (in fact, I saw many load limit signs vandalized and even shot up). Farmers have large, heavy vehicles and I wouldn't put it past those living near this bridge to drive across it if it was re-opened (even for a limited capacity). Back in the day, our firm did rough out some very preliminary rehabilitation costs on a few options for the county, but nothing ever came about it.

I've been away from county bridge inspections for some time and I'm not sure what is in store for its future. I do worry that the bridge will eventually look like a scene from the History Channel's "Life After People" show, and do worry about someone getting hurt on this bridge.

Right now, this bridge only gets brief inspections to make sure that it is safely closed. For it to be reopened, it would have to undergo comprehensive routine, fracture critical, and underwater inspections. I don't recall the time limit, but if a bridge remains out of service for a period of time, FHWA and INDOT will not pay for future inspections (at least that was the policy back then). That could have changed.

The deck and stringers are bad, but I wonder about the trusses themselves, which are the variable in project scope/cost. Its been a long time since I last visited this bridge, at that time I think the pin plates had pack rust and section loss but overall it seemed like a feasible restoration project.

It is definitely sad to see such a majestic structure deteriorate like this as it deserves so much better. The last I had heard was that Washington County was interested in applying for funds to do a rehab, but Lawrence (doesn't surprise me) wasn't interested. Supposedly that was even stipulated by Lawrence County when they scrapped the Guthrie Creek Bridge (#54)... That they would work to save the Ft. Ritner Bridge. If Martin County could restore the similar Brooks Bridge by itself, there is no excuse that these two counties can't work together to save this one!

Ed - you are correct. I was out in this area on field checks about a month ago and made a quick visit to see how this bridge was doing (I was responsible for two bridge inspections in 2010 and 2012 when I was in private practice). There are actually two holes in the deck and I attached a couple photos of these holes. The steel stringers underneath at these holes actually didn't look too bad from a visual standpoint. This bridge actually appeared in worse condition since my bridge inspections. I'm really concerned about the deterioration of the stringer beams at the Lawrence County abutment end. There is serious corrosion, delamination, and extensive section loss to the steel; in fact, the bridge deck topside at this end is badly sagging.

It is sad to see how bad this bridge has deteriorated. Back in the day, I did load rating calculations that allowed the county to open it up for limited use with a 3 Ton weight limit. This is no way that I could justify such a finding today.

$%$##^*& &^%$#%*!!!!!!

Sometime since the last post here a fire was set on the bridge floor and, though it was put out there is now a hole in the floor several feet across.

One of the several treasures that we have in Indiana. And Brian Toone, you got more nerve than I have!

I crossed the bridge Thursday, November 24th on my bicycle in the rain (very, very slick) on my way up to Northern Indiana for Thanksgiving. It was raining and quite cold so I only took a few pics.

On the subject of the Fort Ritner Bridge, the new book "Reflections: A Bicentennial History of Washington County" features a photo of the bridge on the cover. The reason I mention this is that I produced the county map for the book's inside front cover, and the editor just sent me a copy. Very nice.

Did you visit Guthrie Creek Bridge nearby? it is, supposedly, on the chopping block

Went to the bridge yesterday, Sept. 18, 2016 and it's still closed and the deck boards are really sagging. There are piles of rocks at both approaches and rails welded across. Not looking good...

Tony,

Thanks for sharing. That meeting must have been a joy to attend. While a hostile attitude is fun, I have yet to see a case where it produces the desired results.

Regards,

Art S.

If this article is indeed correct, then this is only a short-term closure...

http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2014/05/tempers-flair-at-c...

Mr. Dillon (Absolutely NO relation!) has had my ire over the past couple years for replacing SELECT bridges on the Indiana Historic Bridge Inventory. I would be crazy to say that I am completely comfortable with hearing his desire to save this incredible structure (from a believability standpoint). However, since this bridge was wrongly labeled by an overpaid consulting firm, I will certainly hold out hope that this comes to pass!

It does sound like a concrete arch (#77) has either been replaced or heavily altered.

As of May 2014 this bridge is permanently closed. Guardrails have been welded across the portals to keep cars out.

Went to the old bridge again yesterday, going to try to load a few pictures this time.

In my 42 years of hunting down historic bridges, this is the first one I have seen with a 2 Ton Load Limit. I also got lost trying to find this one. If you're going south from Ft. Ritner (the town), the road makes a jog and I missed it because the corn was about 12' tall when I was there in late August 2013. Beautiful bridge!

Still here and still open, I drove across last week.

Just wanted to share my son's picture of the Fort Ritner Bridge. He took it with his Iphone in Dec. 2010.

This one is still there after the floods of Spring 2011, drove over it today. Looks much the same but I did notice a definite sag in the deck about 10 foot wide, all the way across, maybe 4 inches deep, just West of the center pier. Kinda raised an eyebrow as I passed over it but there wasn't even a creak. Shoulda stopped an got a pic but didn't think about it at the time

Thanks Tony, for the information given. I appreciate your imput.

This "punched" style plaque was used on the Fort Ritner bridge built in 1895, as well as the Brooks Bridge in Martin County built in 1894. These bridges are both extremely long 2-span Pratts, that feature higher trusses more akin to Whipples. The builder chose to use the extra portal bracing to display it's name in a very unique way. Apparently no date of construction or recognition of commissioners were given on these 2 spans.By the time LBC built the Cavanaugh Bridge in 1899, they had chose to use more conventional cast plaques. All of the firms shorter spans used a cast builders plaque, sometimes mated with another plate with the commissioners names.

Was it a practice of Lafayette Bridge Co, to transform the bridge plaques (ID plates)? I see on these pages various shapes and sizes and as is the case of this particular bridge, the wording is also different. Is the plaque on this bridge a poor reproduction of their other plaques? This one has the name punched out of what looks to be heavy sheet metal as opposed to a mold that we are used to seeing. I have looked at all of the Indiana bridges probably many times over and hadn't notice this particular plaque on the Lafayette bridges until just now.

You mention the Brooks Bridge, is there any set timeline for restoration of this bridge?

Hopefully with Martin County restoring the Brooks Bridge, Lawrence and Washington Counties will follow suite. These two bridges are very similar (with the Brooks Bridge being slightly longer), and are in locations where rehabilitation makes more sense. Unfortunately, common sense and commissioners don't seem to get together very often.

I was just there yesterday, it's still standing and open to vehicle traffic. Seemed in about the same state of repair as the 2007 comment indicates.

Yes, this great bridge still does exist. I don't mean to be negative but unfortunately it appears to have been neglected and in great need of attention. The stonework on the pier and abutments, the wooden deck , and the trusses are all need attention if it to stick around much longer. Also I can't believe it is open for traffic. It would be a terrible shame to let the bridge fall beyond repair. There are not many of these two span bridges left so I would like to see this one as well as some other White River Bridges in the area get the attention and rehab they deserve!

I got lost looking for this bridge, glad to see it does exist!

Finally!! We've got a pic for the Fort Ritner bridge up.

Like the Sparksville bridge a few miles east, this through truss bridge is one of the most noteworthy bridges around not only in southern Indiana but the whole state. It's an awesome feeling just seeing this puppy for the first time in all of its ragged (but beautiful) glory.