Overview
The Clear Creek Bridge is a Bailey Bridge. A Bailey Bridge is a "portable" bridge primarily used by the military due to the fact that it can be constructed and taken down in a very short amount of time. The truss sections of a Bailey Bridge are modular and can be put together and come apart kind of like "Lego" blocks.
Photo taken by James McCray
BH Photo #111299
The guess that it replaced a through truss about 1982 is correct, though I believe the year was 1980. Prior to this there was a covered bridge at the site - replaced about 1905.
https://www.facebook.com/ShelbyHD/photos/pb.979647302078304....
https://www.facebook.com/ShelbyHD/photos/pb.979647302078304....
Could anyone give me any information about this bridge. I would like to relocate it to my farm. Please email me at mustangwill@yahoo.com
Thank you
The patent plate is another noteworthy detail I have not seen before. Another thing to look for is some of these older Bailey trusses seem to have the model number welded onto the ends of the top of the end posts. MkII is a common one apparently standing for model Mark 2. Can't tell if this one has a model number marked on it.
The Frodingham brand (British) on the steel suggests this may be a World War II era reused Bailey truss. I usually only see Frodingham brands when in Canada, since finding British steel in the USA is almost unheard of.
My guess is that this span replaced an earlier through truss at this location in 1982. The cut stone abutments suggest it was a rather old (pre-1900) bridge.
Just FYI: Regarding this linked article, Shelbyville is WEST of Lexington, not east. It is east of Louisville.
http://thebridgehunter.areavoices.com/2014/01/22/bailey-trus...