KENTUCKY STEEL TRUSS BRIDGES (5)

 GALLAWAY PIKE BRIDGE                                                                   GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY

BENSON CREEK/TAYLOR AVENUE BRIDGE                               FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY

RED BRIDGE                                                                                               FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY

CAMP NELSON BRIDGE                                                                         NICHOLASVILLE, KENTUCKY

OLD CLAY'S FERRY BRIDGE                                                                LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

OLD CLAY'S FERRY BRIDGE - LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

(Note: upper left of photograph shows a section of the New Clay's Ferry Bridge .. {I-75 & US Rt-25})

Old Clay's Ferry Bridge on Old Richmond Road (KY-2326 & Old US-25), approximately 5.5 miles south of Athens, in Fayette County/Madison County, Kentucky. Intersected-Old Richmond Road over the Kentucky River. Construction Date-1869. Structure Length-443'. Main Span Length-217'. Roadway Width-16.4'. Structure Type: Two Span, Metal (Cast Iron) 14 panel Pin-Connected Warren Through Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Louisville Bridge and Iron Company of Louisville, Kentucky. Engineer/Design: Albert Fink. Rehabilitation Date-1955. Inventory Number-034B00010N. GPS: 37.887150, -84.338440.

"This bridge is one of the most important bridges in Kentucky. Several aspects of this bridge make it nationally significant. First, the bridge was built in 1869, which makes it among the oldest metal bridges on  the country. Any metal bridge dating before 1870 is exceedingly rare in North America. The other most significant aspect of this bridge is its use of cast iron for primary structural members, which is one of the rarest features to be found on a historic bridge. Cast Iron truss bridges are one of the rarest types of historic bridge in the country. This bridge uses cast iron for its top chord. Additionally, the struts for this bridge are also cast iron. Finally, the bridge is also significant as a rare example of a pin-connected Warren Truss. Warren trusses usually have riveted connections."

The history of the bridge's use is well documented. Before the bridge was here, a man named Green Clay operated a ferry service here, which accounts for the name of the bridge. The bridge was built in 1869 for the Richmond and Lexington Turnpike. The bridge was purchased by the State of Kentucky in 1929 and became part of US Rt-25 until a larger high level bridge was built to realign US Rt-25 in 1946. Since then, the cast iron truss bridge has carried local traffic only. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1955. At some point, the top of the pier was removed and replaced with concrete. The primary substructure material is stone, although concrete has been used to repair the abutments as well. 

CAMP NELSON BRIDGE - NICHOLASVILLE, KENTUCKY

 

Camp Nelson Bridge on Old Lexington Road/East Terminus at Kentucky River, off of U.S. RT-27, approximately 5.5 miles south of Nicholasville, in Garrard County/Jessamine County, Kentucky. Intersected-Camp Nelson Rd. (Old Lexington Rd.) (Old U.S. RT-27) over the Kentucky River. Construction Date-1927. Structure Length-574'. Main Span Length-276'. Roadway Width-19.7'. Structure Type: 1 Main Span and 4 Approach Spans, Metal 11 Panel Rivet-Connected Parker Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans-Concrete T-Beam, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Unknown. Rehabilitation Date-N/A. Inventory Number-N/A. GPS: 37.769120, -84.617400. 

Bridge Occupants

RED BRIDGE - FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY

Red Bridge, approximately 2.5 miles west of Frankfort, in Franklin County, Kentucky. Intersected-Kentucky SR-1005/Devils Hollow Road (Old Alignment) over Benson Creek. Construction Date-1896. Structure Length-150'. Structure Type: Single Span, Metal 9 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-N/A. Inventory Number-N/A. GPS: 38.207920, -84.937260.

Note: This bridge was bypassed by a modern bridge in 1980, approximate date of B&W photographs, and subsequently abandoned. Additionally, ownership of the bridge has been apparently formally transferred to a private owner. The bridge had not been maintained and the deck is falling apart. The bridge was originally listed for disposition in May 1992. The Federal Highway Administration, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the State Historic Preservation Officer sought to find an individual or organization willing to assume ownership. The FHWA and the KYTC offered to cover the cost of dismantling the structure, they would not fund site preparation or reassembly. The adjoining property owner (on the east side) was initially to assume responsibility for maintaining the bridge, However, he withdrew after determining that the bridge could not support heavy farm equipment. Now across the west side and the bridge is under private ownership. This includes most property around Benson Creek and Benson Falls. Private Property is strictly controlled, and this includes the Red Bridge Nature Preserve. 

(Fortunately, I did personally meet the property owner of the east side, and obtained his permission to photograph the bridge. The Benson Falls are accessible on his land as well. The owner was very polite and explained the ownership of the west side. Apparently she is an extremely private person and very strict on any trespassing. 

Benson Falls