Overview
Bridge is currently being built (rebuilt) in its new location.
Photo taken by Jeff Wieland (http://bridgehunter.com/in/owen/6000071/)
BH Photo #284733
I agree Mike... It need's a dedicated "pull-off" parking area with easier access. Hopefully that is something that can be addressed soon.
And yes... That bridge in Spencer could have (and should have) been saved since the new bridge was on a different alignment. I think it would have a much better chance of surviving in Indiana now than it did 20 years ago!
This bridge looks fantastic!!!! Only problem was the ugly, unmarked way of getting to it from the trail. I used to travel this bridge daily when it crossed the White River in Owen County. It was great to see it up and goin! I wish someone would have saved the bridge in Spencer. At least still have Secrest Ferry.
But, there is now a street view!
Surprised none of the BridgeHunter folks have added any photos of this bridge now that its in place... its worth the visit, even if for some odd reason you don't care about the other spectacular bridges in Delphi.
This bridge is a great example of a creative reuse of a truss bridge, and is in a location where many people will see it, even if they aren't specifically seeking out a historic bridge. Its spectacular historically significant Pennsylvania truss configuration will catch the eye of even the most distracted drivers on SR-25!
Feel free to check out my photos: http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=in...
A video of the proceedings:
http://wlfi.com/2014/09/09/after-slight-rain-delay-freedom-b...
Regards,
Art S.
Looks like its in!:
http://www.indianalandmarks.org/NewsPhotos/Pages/NewsFeature...
Congratulations to all involved!
Here is a story from the DelphiTimes.net site about placement of this bridge which will close down the new Indiana 25 Hoosier Heartland Highway FOR A WEEK!
Roadway near Delphi to be shut down for one week
DELPHI--INDOT--8/28/2014 – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the closure of State Road 25, between the SR 25 interchange at the junction of SR 18/SR 39/U.S. 421 and the intersection of SR 25 and SR 218, near Delphi. The closure will take place Monday, September 8th through Monday, September 15th as crews put the Freedom Bridge in place over SR 25. The closure of all four lanes of SR 25 between this stretch is necessary as a massive crane will be required to slide the bridge into place.
Northbound SR 25 traffic will be detoured south on SR 18/SR 39/U.S. 421, east on SR 18, north on SR 75, west on SR 218, and back to SR 25. Southbound SR 25 traffic will be detoured east on SR 218, south on SR 75, west on SR 18, north on SR 18/SR 39/U.S. 421, and back to SR 25.
Wiley's is not a done deal and probably should be removed for now...sure will let you know if the deal goes down but it might well stay where it is ... lots of talking going on. Thanks Tony for your personable explanation. I live what the volunteer crew does in Delphi. I get so tripped up by the naming conventions here...its a bit of a slog to find actual bridges and not ghostsof ghost bridges but ..... and information that is reliable...like Wiley. Thanks.
For my part, whenever I visit this website for the most important of endeavors... trip planning... I want the coordinates for where the bridge is standing as of today... since that's where I need to go to see the bridge. Since the bridge is here today, this is the location I would be most interested in. So this listing seems appropriate.
There are some who are thinking that I jumped the gun on posting the Wiley's bridge new location page (http://bridgehunter.com/al/jackson/bh60374/) due to the fact that the bridge has not been relocated yet. I can see and understand that opinion, however, for this bridge, I can surely say with confidence, that it can be posted with its new location page since it is already relocated, put together, and just needs to be hoisted up onto its supports. This time I believe that I have the green light for posting the new location page for this bridge. Please comment either way.
I would second that motion. The obvious parking area for those simply wishing to stop and view the bridge had No Parking signs!