The Attica Bridge Company was in a transitional state when they built the Hibbs Bridge. Field riveting was still a tricky procedure, especially on large spans. ABC would continue to pin-connect their conventional Pratt through trusses throughout the firms Indiana years. With their Parker trusses, it is uncertain if they ever built any that were pinned. After erecting this span in 1903, the following year they would manufacture an entirely riveted bridge in Cass County. The bridge over Deer Creek was, until it's removal, the oldest riveted Parker truss in Indiana. In 1905 they would follow that with a 2-span Parker truss at Bull Rapids in Allen County.
As an interesting footnote, a few bolted Warren through trusses also remain. Pinned Warrens were rare, due to extreme pin wear in the center panels of the span. It was gusset plates that breathed life back into this type of truss. Gusset plates could either be bolted or riveted to truss members. A few examples of bolted, ABC Warren throughs remain in Fountain County, Indiana.
Attica Bridge Company was undoubtedly the trailblazer of Hoosier firms, when it came to bolting and consequently riveting trusses together.
Pictures 24 and 25 are of BH 44511, the remains of the old 10th Street Bridge.
Yes, If you are going to paint on bridge abutments, make it presentable. Tony's words are agreeable with me. Murals draw the eye, and are welcome. Most show historic scenes. Beats the scurges that graffiti brings.
I was in Anderson March 21, 2010 and had the opportunity to visit the Hibbs Bridge. It certainly is a good restoration. Appears to be quite popular as there were a lot of visitors at the time I was there.
Yes....they did a great job on it Jason.
Now if they can just get the graffiti punks to leave it alone!
WOW! I never thought a bridge could be as attractive at night as it is in the day time. Madison Co. did a lot of work to make this unique structure attractive. I wish other counties and states (like PA) would follow this example and take better care of their truss bridges and not treat them like a liability.
I noticed that one of the photos notes "lots of bolts." This bridge (Formerly Fountain #7) was originally brought to the site in panels and field-spliced together with bolts. By my research, this is the last remaining bolted Parker in use in Indiana.
Wow! Those night photos are spectacular! This will be another bridge to add to the 'Visit' list.
Anderson's The Herald Bulletin newspaper on July 9, 2014 reported that the levee along White River would be reworked. Since one end of the bridge sits on the levee it was closed. The bridge was reopened by April 2015.