I visited this bridge last year and was deeply saddened by its poor condition as well. In addition to the deck, I noted some issues with the trusses themselves as well, in particular, severe loss of section in the eyebars at the lower chord connections. It is sad to see the metal truss bridges in this county left to rot while the covered bridges are all maintained in pristine condition. I included two photos from my photo gallery below.
The deck is in complete crap shape. I took a couple of steps, boards fell though. Step lightly!
This is a Whipple truss, despite the fact that the interpretive sign depicts a covered bridge.
Amy
This is a through truss bridge that requires the overhead bracing (struts, sway and lateral bracing) to help keep the trusses (sides of the bridge) in the proper alignment.
Shorter bridges (pony trusses) did not require the overhead supports that the longer spans did, although some used outriggers (see picture below) to help stabilize them.
By the 20th century, designers were making longer pony trusses that would have required the use of a through truss a few decades earlier.
The spoils of a steel Whipple truss...
Reminds me of the Bostick Road Bridge before it was restored.