Cobban Bridge
Photos
Long View Of Bridge, Looking South
Photo taken by Martin Stupich, June 25, 1987 for HAER
View photos at Library of Congress
BH Photo #119696
Significance of the Cobban Bridge
Written by Diane Kromm, Wisconsin Historic Bridges Recording Project, Summmer 1987The Modern Steel Structures Company of Waukesha constructed the Yellow River Bridge across the Chippewa River in 1908. The firm, incorporated in 1900, developed the most modern and complete steel structural plant in the West. Between 1916 and 1918, the Wisconsin-Minnesota Power & Light Company built a hydroelectric dam four miles downstream from the bridge, putting the site under water. The townships of Eagle Point and Arthur arranged to have the 486-foot span dismantled and re-erected 15 miles upstream near the village of Cobban. The Cast Stone Construction Company, in Eau Claire, installed the new concrete substructure. Crombley and Thailacker, a Milwaukee bridge-building firm, apparently erected the steel work. The Yellow River Bridge is the oldest of four Pennsylvania truss bridges remaining in Wisconsin.
Facts
- Overview
- Pennsylvania through truss bridge over Chippewa River on CTH T
- Location
- Cobban, Chippewa County, Wisconsin
- Status
- Intact but closed to all traffic
- Future prospects
- Available for reuse
- History
- Built in 1908; Moved 15 miles upriver to avoid inundation, 1918-19; rehabilitated 1995
- Builder
- - Modern Steel Structural Co. of Waukesha, Wisconsin
- Design
- Two span, pin-connected Pennsylvania steel overhead truss. The two spans are identical.
NOTE: With the destruction of the remaining Pennsylvania truss bridges in Wisconsin, these spans are the last surviving Pennsylvania truss spans in the state.
- Dimensions
-
Length of largest span: 241.2 ft.
Total length: 486.5 ft.
Deck width: 16.0 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 12.3 ft.
- Recognition
- Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
- Also called
- Yellow River Bridge
Chippewa River Bridge - Approximate latitude, longitude
- +45.10707, -91.20855 (decimal degrees)
45°06'25" N, 91°12'31" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 15/640930/4996405 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Crescent
- Average daily traffic (as of 2015)
- 169
- Inventory number
- BH 34696 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
- Inspection report (as of August 2018)
- Overall condition: Poor
Superstructure condition rating: Serious (3 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Deck condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 26 (out of 100)
View more at BridgeReports.com
Update Log
- January 8, 2018: Updated by Dana and Kay Klein: Added categories "Othmar H. Ammann Nominee", "Othmar H Ammann Award winner"
- January 6, 2016: New photo from Nathan Holth
- December 29, 2014: New photos from Matt Lohry
- April 19, 2014: New photo from Max Koehn
- October 9, 2011: New photos from Steve Conro
- September 3, 2010: New Street View added by Matthew Lohry
- August 4, 2008: Updated by J.R. Manning
- August 3, 2008: Essay added by James Baughn
- August 3, 2008: Essay added by J.R. Manning
Sources
- J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
- Chippewa County Tourism Site - The Cobban Bridge is the subject of this page, it sheds more light on the last Pennsylvania Truss bridge in Wisconsin.
- Matt Lohry
- Steve Conro - sconro [at] yahoo [dot] com
- Max Koehn - mkoehn45 [at] gmail [dot] com
- News Article About Bridge Project
- Nathan Holth
Comments
The Cobban Bridge has been receiving news lately in light of winning the Ammann Awards for Bridge of the Year. A decision on the bridge's future and its replacement will come before month's end. More here: http://chippewa.com/news/local/cobban-bridge-wins-internatio...
And a 169 Average Daily Traffic count gives even more reason that a restoration is the more feasible option!
Also, that supposed $13 Million price tag to restore the bridge is an inflated joke and nothing more than an attempt to thwart preservation... Unless they are planning to Gold plate it!
Its also a meaningless decision until Section 106 is conducted (as far as I know it hasn't been unless they have conducted it without my knowledge despite requesting consulting party status). No Section 106 = No Federal Funds.
Irresponsible and short-sighted decision, but sadly it seems to be ingrained into government officials in Wisconsin that history means nothing and these landmarks are simply scrap metal... Truly sad indeed!
This historic bridge is closed indefinitely. The Chippewa County Board voted to build a replacement bridge if Federal and State money is approved. It appears as though the historic bridge will soon be demolished to make room for the new bridge that may be competed by 2021. Anyone want to buy a beautiful old bridge?
County Board votes to replace shuttered Cobban Bridge
http://chippewa.com/news/local/article_8be13065-8512-5f91-94...
I'd love to see the details of that $13,000,000 rehabilitation proposal... Could use a good laugh!
Hello,
I was traveling through Wisconsin, and came upon a bridge. It inspired me.
...just found out that it might be taken down (it would really be a shame to loose this bridge)
Free Music Video Download: https://vimeo.com/171447559
Best Wishes
-Mr. D
The news isn't good:
http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/NEW-INFORMATION-Board-app...
The noted news article proposes replacing the bridge with federal funds, any proposal that has an adverse effect to this historic bridge will trigger Section 106. If Section 106 has not yet been conducted it is required under federal law to consider all feasible and prudent alternatives to demolition: an alternative needs to include a detailed consideration of rehabilitation.
The news isn't good. Looks like saving the Cobban Bridge in any fashion isn't one of the options on the table:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Front-Page/2015/12/30/Bri...
Due to recent local news articles about possibly not replacing the bridge, I have started a Facebook page titled, Save the Cobban Bridge. Please LIKE the page to see links to the news articles and other information about the bridge. As new information becomes available I will add it to the page.
This is the last Pennsylvania truss in the state yet is at risk for demolition.
http://chippewa.com/news/local/residents-consider-options-fo...
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/wi/chippewa/B09096500000000/
Historic Cobban Bridge to be given away. Any takers? Details here: https://bridgehunterschronicles.wordpress.com/2020/09/13/his... Offer good through October 9th.