Overview
The Rulo Bridge is a very narrow bridge with a bend to the left on its eastern approach.
Photo taken by James McCray
BH Photo #113191
The first time I drove over this bridge, the knee bracings were still intact. There were signs specifically warning trucks about the lower height restriction on the sides of the bridge. This would have been around the year 2000, probably.
Interesting modification noted in photos. Portal bracing on all spans were modified by removing 45 degree gusseting back to truss. No doubt to gain additional clearance for trucks. Also demonstrates how these old structures were over-built, that even after hacking out members the bridge maintains integrity....not so with modern replacement spans. Will this span be kept after new bridge opens..?..perhaps as a pedestrian bridge? Hope so...
Its a shame that they're demolishing it, but from a practical pov, it really did need replaced. 20 feet is just to narrow for today's transportation. It'd have been great if they'd kept the bridge though.
Rulo bridge made an appearance on Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers a season or two ago as Sean Casey in TIV II (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) followed shortly by Reed Timmer in the Dominator (Reed's TIV or as Casey calls it The Duplicator)had to get into Missouri to make a storm intercept.
IIRC the bridge also appears in the movie Paper Moon.
As one can see in the photos a new replacement bridge is being built to eventually replace the existing Rulo Bridge. It is sad knowing that the Rulo Bridge will be demolished. Anyone with a whole lot of money is welcome to save this bridge.
Add Category to Rulo, Nebraska to Rulo Bridge
The replacement for the US-159 Rulo bridge is now open to traffic.
http://www.kmaland.com/news/article_fe0bdcbc-148b-11e3-ad68-...