Westphalia Bridge

Street view doesn't go far enough to view the signs at the 610-611 junction. If posted as described then there really is no excuse for taking a loaded truck down the road.

Any news on what is going to happen to the driver, the trucking company, and the bridge?

I live on the road that this bridge was located on. I have lived here almost my entire life. Just below my house, at the junction of Co Rd 611(the road that the bridge is on) and my road, Co Rd 610, a sign is posted clearly stating LOAD LIMIT 5 TONS, accompanied by a sign that clearly states NO SEMI TRUCKS. Identical signs are posted on the other side on the bridge, right by the Westphalia City Limit sign. In both instances, trucks have options to go other directions easily to avoid using the bridge.

Read on a reliable website i use that the truck driver said he hit the bridge while supposedly turning around.I'm pretty sure there are news articles confirming this.

Headache bars are the best solution, and it frustrates me that they are not used more often. Certainly there are many cases where bypassing or relocating trusses are a good option. But we should NOT be forced to give up vehicular truss bridges just because the majority of truck drivers in America are stupid, illiterate idiots that should NEVER be behind the wheel of a truck if they are incapable of knowing the dimensions and weight of their vehicles and comprehending the road signage that restricts the passage of their vehicle. Whoever did this should have their license permanently revoked.

I've had two county engineers try to argue with me that headache bars are a liability. I fail to see, if proper signage is placed before them, how that is possible.

Didn't get far, did he?

Bars are nice but in this case it would have to be quite a way SE on 611 to prevent turning on to the road so there was no need to back out. Very possible nonetheless.

There are also several more diabolical ideas involving swinging weights, trap doors, and tire spikes. Probably get lawyers salivating even mentioning them....

I still like off-structure headache bars that keep oversized vehicles from ever making it to the bridge. While I certainly agree with bypassing historic bridges over demolition, bypassed spans often tend to become forgotten ones.

Pictures here:

https://krcgtv.com/news/local/gallery/osage-county-sheriff-b...

I think the best solution to this sort of destruction is to put in place a program of bypassing historic trusses. Less disruptive to traffic plus it allows for the fact that drivers will sometimes decide to "chance it", especially if turning around is difficult or impossible. I suspect that's the case here. The driver got to the bridge and did not have the option of backing out of the situation. Heavily publicized stiff fines against the drivers rather than companies or insurers might have an effect although if they are willing to risk their life....

Well, that is a shame...

Osage County Sheriff reporting that the bridge has collapsed.

Went to Youth Camp there in 1965-66. So interesting! Thanks so much for sharing.

Here is an exceptional image of the bridge appearing on an undated 1 cent postcard. Thanks to Shawn Kell of Koeltztown for bringing it to my attention.