Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge

Notable for a bridge this new (built 1966, rebuilt 1978), is the extensive use of built-up lattice members. Built-up members using V-lacing or lattice, are rarely seen this recently, except for historical purposes. After about 1950, it became less expensive to use a single piece of flat, rolled steel, with oval cut-out holes. I wonder if this older, more costly construction method was used to reduce the weight of the lift span. Royce and Bobette Haley's excellent photos here show the latticework very well.

My observation regarding Nathan Holth's comment about a mixture of bolted and riveted connections after the 1977 accident, is that many steel bridges of the 1960s era were originally built with a combination of riveted and bolted connections. (See 1967 La Grange Road Bridge near Chicago at https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=i... for more about this transition era.)

To get a vantage point to photograph this bridge, I went to the marina to its southeast. After buying a soda and securing permission to walk out on their dock, the marina store clerk said that this bridge was "quite a pain" because it frequently became stuck in the raised position. As in the 1977 accident, a long detour is required, on either the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to the east, or I-295 to the west.

Most of this truss bridge collapsed in an accident Feb 24, 1977 which may explain why many members are bolted since I assume most of the truss is a replica. http://www.dailypress.com/features/history/dp-look-back-acci...

This is one of the more spectacular vertical lift accidents I have ever seen. The freightor crashed into the approach truss, which rested on on the freighter for a time (it was dislocated off the pier onto the ship) before the tower finally collapsed, which in turn dragged the lift span into the water. The other tower survived however.

predecessor to this........

Completed Dec. 2015: Replace the bridge's original auxiliary drive, install LED lights and make preventive maintenance repairs to the bridge’s superstructure; including deck patching and beam repairs.

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/benjamin_harris...

It's called the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge. I cross it on a regular basis.