Miller Station Road Bridge

This whole idea of bridges being unsafe because they are "fracture critical" is total malarkey. The Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis currently under construction is as fracture critical as they get, so they are certainly still being built. It's just a sorry excuse to wipe out every last historic truss bridge remaining in order to put up ugly new structures that the public supposedly "wants". The Washington Avenue Bridge, which provides access to the University of Minnesota's East Bank from downtown Minneapolis, is being rehabilitated. This bridge is a large steel girder bridge and also is fracture critical, as there are no intermediate stringers between the outside ones. But, since it's ugly, not historic, and not a truss, it will remain in place.

Nathan:

Thanks for the clarification.

French Creek is large enough that most states probably would call it a river.

The replacement structure at this location is not a culvert, but is a two span pre-stressed spread box beam bridge according to construction plans. Two 85 foot spans for a total of 170 feet. Like most modern bridges, the structure is inferior to the superior technology of the 1800s, since it introduces a pier into the river, which can impede the flow of water. I realize metal truss bridges like Miller Station are "fracture critical" however the bridge stood for over a century without collapse, which demonstrates that fracture critical bridges... even those like the historic cast and wrought iron Miller Station Bridge which had their maintenance and repairs deferred and are allowed to deteriorate... can be safe.

The culverts seen on site might be temporary for construction or for approach work.

It certainly would not be the first time that a series of culverts, or even a low water crossing has replaced a truss. I have seen plenty examples of streams that could be crossed in highwater when a real bridge was in place, and now you can't get through when the water rises.

This is almost becoming par for the course...or in the case of this particular bridge PA(r) for the course. (Just a silly pun, no disrespect to Pennsylvania intended)

Did I Read you right? A series of massave culvert pipes to replace this bridge?! Thats going to wash out in the nest flood. Not only has PDOT flushed the bridge down the toilet - your tax money also.

Wnet down to the bridge to get some of my own last pictures.

It looks like they are replacing he bridge with a large tubed culvert, judging by the large tubes sitting on the bank next to the bridge.

The pics I took can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69048450@N00/sets/72157625965379129/

Okay PennDOT........don't want you to feel slighted......