ConTech Continental prefab spans (MOBS) are hard to compete with in terms of cost for short spans (even though they are inferior to a restored historic metal truss bridge). However, once you get into really long span lengths like this, these sorts of modern bridges rapidly become EXTREMELY expensive. They are not standard (higher cost), and they are very inefficient in use of materials (even higher cost). The shear mass of the ugly steel tubes needed to support spans of this length result in a bridge of unparalleled level of ugly, and a bridge that obstructs the view of the river it crosses. A restored historic truss span could have been provided for this budget, providing a structurally superior (wider roadway), long-lasting, signature historic landmark. The efficient, lightweight members would have coexisted with the surrounding area in a much better manner as well.
Looks like a MOB to me. I would much rather see relocated historic trusses than MOBs on trails. Thanks to firms such as Workin' Bridges, and Bach Steel, we can save historic trusses that would otherwise be turned into soup cans.
thinking this was not a 1,000,000 dollar bridge
Well, I will support any effort to reuse historic bridges on trails.