FUDGE ROAD BRIDGE - GRATIS, OHIO

Fudge Road Bridge in Gratis, in Preble County, in Ohio. Intersected-Fudge Road (TR-347) Over Aukerman Creek. Construction Date-1913. Length-91'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal 6 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Half-Hip Pony Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Central States Bridge Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-6838235. GPS: 39.660070N, -84.520420W.   

DIXON ROAD BRIDGE - EATON, OHIO

 Dixon Road Bridge, six miles west of Eaton, in Preble County, in Ohio. Intersected-Dixon Road (TR-242) Over 4 Mile Creek. Construction Date-1958. Length-61'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal 4 Panel Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Pony Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Champion Bridge Company of Wilmington, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-6836488. GPS: 39.728970°N, -84.765360°W.

The 1950s and 1960s were the finality of the transition from aesthetic bridge design to "purely functional" bridge design, where the "art" in bridge building came to a close thus ending a tradition of beauty in bridges. As a result, this bridge, with a 1958 construction date, represents the end of this transition. While it still has aesthetic value, mainly in the old-fashioned rivets, it is quite plain, with its rolled i-beams.

SMITH ROAD BRIDGE - FAIRHAVEN, OHIO

Smith Road Bridge in Fairhaven, in Preble County, in Ohio. Intersected- Concord-Fairhaven Road Over 4 Mile Creek. Construction Date-1955. Length-76.0'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal 5 Panel Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Pony Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Champion Bridge Company of Wilmington, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-6841333. GPS: 39.651080°N, -84.768740°W.

This bridge is one of a number of unusual pony truss bridges built by the Champion Bridge Company in Preble County well after the truss bridge era had come to a close in most of the country. They are noted for their use of modern design such as rolled beams and omission of any built-up beams, while continuing the older, traditional use of rivets for connections. The riveted connections are a contrast to the welded truss bridges that were built in Ohio around the same time as these bridges and continue to be built in the present day.

 

Snyder Memorial Bridge - Springfield, Ohio

Snyder Memorial Bridge in Springfield, in Clark County, in Ohio. Intersected-Snyder Park Road Over Buck Creek. Construction Date-1897. Length-124'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal Three-Hinged Through Arch, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Unknown. Rehabilitation Date-1995. Inventory Number-1260529. GPS: 39.933600°N, -83.837030°W.

The bridge is highly unusual from a design standpoint. The arch is technically a through arch, but the arch only rises above the roadway a short distance. Much of the arch is below the deck. The shallow arch is further masked by the unusual method in which the arch has been trussed. Typical trussed arches have truss work which follows the shape of the arch. However in this case, the truss is variable depth with a consistently horizontal top chord such that the bridge looks much like a simple pony truss rather than an arch bridge.