Not a Burr, the presence of an arch is not what defines a Burr.
Gusset plated and not traditionally joined, which somewhat complicates the call, but it is far more akin to a bastardized Long.
There's a good possibility that that the large stones were indeed in the old abutment. I remember some large rocks around the east abutment, but do not know for certain that these are the same ones.
Would like to compliment you on your bridge.
We had the opportunity to visit the bridge on the weekend of June 24th and enjoyed it very much.
Our organization (Northwest Territory Covered Brisge Association) includes the state of Illinois and your brige was the first bridge we visited in your state.
It is nice to know that bridges are still being built and yours is one of the finest new bridges we have had the honor to visit. The setting is very beautiful and the deck is a very nice touch.
We were wondering if the large stones used for the retainment wall at the parking lot were from the abutement of the old bridge.
Unfortunately it was raining when we visited and our photo could have used more light. But that's all right, we'll just have to visit you again when we return to Illinois.
Once again, very, very nice.
Bobby Adair
Northwest Territory Covered Bridge Association
President
Mason, Ohio
Designed by Elmer G. Pyle, PE, SE (deceased)
Rhutasel and Associates, Inc.
Centralia, Illinois
200 foot single span.
Will
I found a good interior photo of this bridge on Galen Frysinger's site:
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/illinois_covered_bridge_13_18_...
He refers to it as a Burr Arch as well......which I would disagree with.....as well.
This bridge features a Double Multiple Kingpost Truss that has a multi-layer laminated arch sandwiched in between the 2 sets of MKP's. They then added diagonal bracing segments that are mounted directly to the arch. These are what gives it the appearance of a Long Truss with an arch......but it's not.
So, it does have elements of the Burr Arch Truss in the MKP trusses and the arches......but NOT in the configuration that Theodore Burr envisioned when he designed his truss.
Here in Indiana, over 2/3 of the remaining covered bridges feature the real Burr Arch Truss (MKP with an arch attached on both sides).
Unfortunately I have come to find that anything with an arch in it will at some time probably be labeled a Burr Arch.....just because of the arch.