AARoads Forum

National Boards => Bridges => Topic started by: SteveG1988 on April 30, 2018, 03:47:54 PM

Title: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on April 30, 2018, 03:47:54 PM
While bored after driving down I-85,65,10 to get to I-59 in the truck...i looked into why I-10 at the MS/LA state line has a high bridge that has oddly placed expansion joints. It just so happens that when it was built in the late 60s NASA wanted it to be movable because of a planned "Nova" rocket that was to be bigger than the Saturn V, and would need to go up the Pearl River from Michaud to Stennis. It requires a look from the side to see the original intent of the bridge design.

Are there any other bridges like this?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EiB__1Zy9lc%2FVX-NJGG0ZtI%2FAAAAAAAAwOc%2FCaq9tsIuUyw%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2005.JPG&hash=fc3d44425e931498f0891de4b585365202927ade)

Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: index on April 30, 2018, 03:52:28 PM
The Fairview Lift Bridge on the Missouri River Yellowstone River in North Dakota (named after Fairview, MT) was only ever lifted once after its construction in 1913. It served railroad, road and railroad, then pedestrian traffic. The Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, if I recall correctly, hardly see any commercial boat traffic at all, if ever, so it's no surprise. A lot of other movable bridges on the Missouri and Yellowstone, especially in the Dakotas, were rarely operated.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:25:07 PM
Memorial Bridge (between DC and VA) used to be movable, but is no longer movable.  There was also a ceremonial landing spot slightly upriver on the DC side where dignitaries and heads of state could arrive by ship.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:26:55 PM
I once heard a possibly-apocryphal story that the Chicago River drawbridges are operated so infrequently, a single operator can move from bridge to bridge and open and close the bridges in succession when they need to be.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: index on April 30, 2018, 04:46:50 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:26:55 PM
I once heard a possibly-apocryphal story that the Chicago River drawbridges are operated so infrequently, a single operator can move from bridge to bridge and open and close the bridges in succession when they need to be.


I wonder if a good indicator of infrequent operation is that the railroad bridges on the river are left closed or down, when normally movable railroad bridges are left raised or opened.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 05:23:50 PM
Quote from: index on April 30, 2018, 04:46:50 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:26:55 PM
I once heard a possibly-apocryphal story that the Chicago River drawbridges are operated so infrequently, a single operator can move from bridge to bridge and open and close the bridges in succession when they need to be.


I wonder if a good indicator of infrequent operation is that the railroad bridges on the river are left closed or down, when normally movable railroad bridges are left raised or opened.

Now that I think about it, I think the storyteller was talking only about the road bridges.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: TheArkansasRoadgeek on April 30, 2018, 06:18:17 PM
Quote from: index on April 30, 2018, 04:46:50 PM
I wonder if a good indicator of infrequent operation is that the railroad bridges on the river are left closed or down, when normally movable railroad bridges are left raised or opened.
The Junction Bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas is a retired railroad-turned-pedestrian bridge spanning the Arkansas River. It is left raised for boat traffic that the river see frequently.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Beltway on April 30, 2018, 11:17:26 PM
West Point, VA bridge over Pamunkey River.  Completed in 2007, high-level bascule span with 55 feet of vertical navigational clearance when closed.  Built to allow a future steel mill and shipping docks to be built upriver.  Bridge openings not needed currently, but VDOT opens it once a month to test the machinery.

Skanska and PB both worked for VDOT to construct and design the $90M double-leaf bascule bridge of the Pamunkey River in West Point, Virginia. The project site is surrounded by several historic communities and sensitive wetlands. The new bridge features four lanes, a separate outside shoulder for bicycle traffic and a double-leaf bascule span over the 100-foot-wide navigation channel.
https://www.usa.skanska.com/what-we-deliver/projects/57211/Pamunkey-River-Bridge/

On the west side of town, the 5,354 ft long Eltham Bridge spans the Pamunkey River and adjacent marsh land and railroad tracks with a total of 49 spans.  The bridge over the Pamunkey River also included a 248 ft long steel girder double leaf bascule span.
http://www.stalite.com/project_details.php?id=17
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: jeffandnicole on May 03, 2018, 09:11:32 AM
https://goo.gl/maps/mTwLdoHJmb62  This bridge on Rt. 130 was built as a lift bridge, but never operated as such.  As you can see, the guardrail is continuous thru the bridge.  NJDOT recently went in and took out parts of the bridge that would've allowed it to actually work if it actually functioned, probably to use as spare parts in other lift bridges.  A similar lift bridge a few miles to the north is operational, although rarely used.  A fixed span is currently being built to replace that one.

Further north, near the Brooklawn Circles on US 130 is this grated bridge:  https://goo.gl/maps/YcPg5bsuJFp  Never gave it any though until I was on a side road one day at a park, when I noticed it was actually built as a bascule drawbridge! (trees block the GSV from viewing the bridge)  I've never seen anything that indicates it was ever operated though.  Even recent studies and public meetings to replace the bridge never brought up any history of its operation.  The nearby parallel Conrail railroad tracks and NJ 47 don't appear to have been built as drawbridges either.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on May 04, 2018, 02:50:18 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 03, 2018, 09:11:32 AM
https://goo.gl/maps/mTwLdoHJmb62  This bridge on Rt. 130 was built as a lift bridge, but never operated as such.  As you can see, the guardrail is continuous thru the bridge.  NJDOT recently went in and took out parts of the bridge that would've allowed it to actually work if it actually functioned, probably to use as spare parts in other lift bridges.  A similar lift bridge a few miles to the north is operational, although rarely used.  A fixed span is currently being built to replace that one.

Further north, near the Brooklawn Circles on US 130 is this grated bridge:  https://goo.gl/maps/YcPg5bsuJFp  Never gave it any though until I was on a side road one day at a park, when I noticed it was actually built as a bascule drawbridge! (trees block the GSV from viewing the bridge)  I've never seen anything that indicates it was ever operated though.  Even recent studies and public meetings to replace the bridge never brought up any history of its operation.  The nearby parallel Conrail railroad tracks and NJ 47 don't appear to have been built as drawbridges either.


Probably like the big bayou canot bridge, built for the eventuality of it becoming navigatable.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 05, 2018, 03:05:28 PM
PQ-201 bridge who span the Soulanges Canal at Les Cedres was rebuilt as a movable bridge if the Soulanges Canal got a new life for recreationnal boats.

The Sainte-Anne Bridge who link Chicoutimi and Chicoutimi-Nord (now all amalgated to Saguenay) was built as a movable bridge but no boats had crossed the bridge when it opened in the 1930s. It's currently in use as a bicycle/pedestrian path.
There some vintage photos on this French site. http://cybernaute.com/robert.dufour/page32.htm
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Roadrunner75 on May 06, 2018, 11:46:41 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 03, 2018, 09:11:32 AM
Further north, near the Brooklawn Circles on US 130 is this grated bridge:  https://goo.gl/maps/YcPg5bsuJFp  Never gave it any though until I was on a side road one day at a park, when I noticed it was actually built as a bascule drawbridge! (trees block the GSV from viewing the bridge)  I've never seen anything that indicates it was ever operated though.  Even recent studies and public meetings to replace the bridge never brought up any history of its operation.  The nearby parallel Conrail railroad tracks and NJ 47 don't appear to have been built as drawbridges either.
I remember when that bridge was reconstructed in the early 80s - I thought it was a complete rebuild at the time, but apparently it wasn't.  From the road deck standpoint it's a huge improvement - I vaguely recall going over it before that and the loud sound of the grated section.  The nearby 47 bridge seemed to be in a lot better shape although I don't think it's that much newer.

At any rate, Here's a photo from the interwebs of what Jeff was looking at from River Drive...

(https://static.panoramio.com.storage.googleapis.com/photos/large/56299678.jpg)

Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: 1995hoo on May 10, 2018, 10:20:24 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:25:07 PM
Memorial Bridge (between DC and VA) used to be movable, but is no longer movable.  There was also a ceremonial landing spot slightly upriver on the DC side where dignitaries and heads of state could arrive by ship.

Related to that, the inbound span of the 14th Street Bridge was a drawbridge that no longer opens; the outbound span and the HOV bridge are not drawbridges and their construction pretty much made the draw spans at the 14th Street and Memorial Bridges useless. I believe the Long Bridge (train trestle) is movable as well as a swing bridge, but the Fenwick Bridge (WMATA Yellow Line bridge) isn't. You can see the drawbridge operator's tower on the inbound 14th Street Bridge.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on May 31, 2018, 08:20:41 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:26:55 PM
I once heard a possibly-apocryphal story that the Chicago River drawbridges are operated so infrequently, a single operator can move from bridge to bridge and open and close the bridges in succession when they need to be.

Typically happens around 6am on Sundays. And its usually 2 operators depending on the traffic types.

Long freight barges usually require 2 bridges to be up due simply to its length.

During the opening and closing of boating seasons, CDOT will post what hours the bridges will be tended. This can lead to anywhere from 4 to 6 bridges being up at the same time.

CDOT does not allow "on demand" bridge raisings and hasnt supported them since the early 1960's after most traffic moved to Lake Calumet.

In the late seventies I remember what a big deal it was when the once a year Hines lumber ship would come through the locks and head down the south branch.  It was so large it barely got through the turning basin at Michigan Ave. All the bridges from Michigan Ave. (Columbus Bridge wasnt built yet) to Wolf Point were open.

And one always got stuck.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on June 01, 2018, 12:32:31 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 31, 2018, 08:20:41 PMCDOT does not allow "on demand" bridge raisings and hasnt supported them since the early 1960's after most traffic moved to Lake Calumet.

Oh, that's interesting.  The CTA alerts about service on the Pink/Green/Brown/Purple Lines potentially being affected by bridge openings sure seem to imply that the CTA has no idea when the Wells Street and Lake Street Bridges are going to be opened and closed.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on June 02, 2018, 05:03:41 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 01, 2018, 12:32:31 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 31, 2018, 08:20:41 PMCDOT does not allow "on demand" bridge raisings and hasnt supported them since the early 1960's after most traffic moved to Lake Calumet.

Oh, that's interesting.  The CTA alerts about service on the Pink/Green/Brown/Purple Lines potentially being affected by bridge openings sure seem to imply that the CTA has no idea when the Wells Street and Lake Street Bridges are going to be opened and closed.

This is the CTA's way of saying CDOT doesnt tell us when they are going to bring traffic down the river so be warned.

It wouldnt be the first time 2 Chicago agencies didnt communicate with each other....think the Kedzie Bridge disaster where a CDOT authorized contractor poked a hole in a legacy ash tunnel managed by Streets and San. City was paralyzed for weeks.

Once in the middle of the week during business hours CDOT decided to bring some work barges with cranes on them. So one by one, the bridges all came up.

I saw the CTA back up as they drew the red lights on the Lake Street Bridge as it went up.

The other time they went up was during biz hours was during the shooting of the Julia Roberts/Cameron Diaz movie "Best Friends Wedding".

Even though the river scene was shot on a Wendella tour boat which has bridge clearance, the director wanted "bridge action" in the background and the Chicago Film Office got CDOT to open and close them.

The most dramatic bridge action was when they were rehabbing the Wabash Street Bridge. Being a bascule trunnion style bridge, the contractor had disconnected the lateral pins that hold the bridge in place when it is down. They had jerry rigged a temporary pin which failed. Lets just say the bridge went up in record time and threw all the tools and their compressors onto Wacker Drive. In case one asks they are designed to go up if they fail. A motor pulls them down and a lateral pin holds them down during traffic.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: index on June 03, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.


Do you have the location/coordinates of the bridge/is it named? I'm interested in the swing bridge.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on June 04, 2018, 02:24:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 02, 2018, 05:03:41 PM
The most dramatic bridge action was when they were rehabbing the Wabash Street Bridge. Being a bascule trunnion style bridge, the contractor had disconnected the lateral pins that hold the bridge in place when it is down. They had jerry rigged a temporary pin which failed. Lets just say the bridge went up in record time and threw all the tools and their compressors onto Wacker Drive. In case one asks they are designed to go up if they fail. A motor pulls them down and a lateral pin holds them down during traffic.

It was the Michigan Avenue Bridge, I watched it happen sitting in traffic, and probably wouldn't be sitting here typing this if there wasn't a crane parked at the end of the bridge that slid down onto Lower Wacker and prevented the bridge from flying back onto Upper Michigan.

I'm surprised to hear the story about My Best Friend's Wedding.  Nowadays, they would probably film the scene on a weekend or holiday.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:18:51 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 04, 2018, 02:24:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 02, 2018, 05:03:41 PM
The most dramatic bridge action was when they were rehabbing the Wabash Street Bridge. Being a bascule trunnion style bridge, the contractor had disconnected the lateral pins that hold the bridge in place when it is down. They had jerry rigged a temporary pin which failed. Lets just say the bridge went up in record time and threw all the tools and their compressors onto Wacker Drive. In case one asks they are designed to go up if they fail. A motor pulls them down and a lateral pin holds them down during traffic.

It was the Michigan Avenue Bridge, I watched it happen sitting in traffic, and probably wouldn't be sitting here typing this if there wasn't a crane parked at the end of the bridge that slid down onto Lower Wacker and prevented the bridge from flying back onto Upper Michigan.

I'm surprised to hear the story about My Best Friend's Wedding.  Nowadays, they would probably film the scene on a weekend or holiday.
Thanks for the correction on the "flying" bridge. It was the Michigan Ave.

As for the movie shot, I was sitting in 300 Riverside like everyone else wondering why the bridges were going up. Then we saw the Wendella boat come by with all these spot lights, mic booms and film cameras.

Its very possible the original shot was done on a Sunday and this was a reshoot.

A few years later we saw a black helicopter that said "Gotham City Police" from same window.

Glad you survived.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:31:13 PM
Quote from: index on June 03, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.


Do you have the location/coordinates of the bridge/is it named? I'm interested in the swing bridge.

If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.

The draw bridge from 1909 is still standing but closed to traffic. Local clubs are raising money to rehab it as a cross over for the bike trail.

I have looked for the farmers bridge on Google but cant find it. Honestly it has probably rusted and melts into the background and not visible from above.

All I remember is that it looks like just big slab of steel beams with grating on top. It "rolls" over the canal bed using an electric motor with gears.

If you find the coordinates, please share!
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: lepidopteran on June 04, 2018, 07:08:38 PM
If you ever drive I-80/I-90/OH Turnpike between the I-75 and US-20 exits, the highway crosses the Maumee River.  Just to the north side of the bridge, running almost parallel, is an abandoned railroad trestle.  This bridge belonged to the Toledo Terminal, a switching railroad that made a complete loop around the city, and is a swing bridge that was never used.  Supposedly, it was because the expected heavy industry on the upper Maumee never materialized.  The bridge last saw use in 1982 when it was damaged by a train derailment, and is now proposed for demolition.

(Edit: Demolition has since begun, and is about halfway razed as of New Years)

The downstream counterpart to this bridge is also movable and is still in use.

In a completely different location, a rail bridge over the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Princeton, NJ (used by the "dinky") is a swing bridge.  It probably hasn't moved since the 1930s, or whenever the canal was retired from service.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on June 05, 2018, 09:27:26 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:18:51 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 04, 2018, 02:24:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 02, 2018, 05:03:41 PM
The most dramatic bridge action was when they were rehabbing the Wabash Street Bridge. Being a bascule trunnion style bridge, the contractor had disconnected the lateral pins that hold the bridge in place when it is down. They had jerry rigged a temporary pin which failed. Lets just say the bridge went up in record time and threw all the tools and their compressors onto Wacker Drive. In case one asks they are designed to go up if they fail. A motor pulls them down and a lateral pin holds them down during traffic.

It was the Michigan Avenue Bridge, I watched it happen sitting in traffic, and probably wouldn't be sitting here typing this if there wasn't a crane parked at the end of the bridge that slid down onto Lower Wacker and prevented the bridge from flying back onto Upper Michigan.

I'm surprised to hear the story about My Best Friend's Wedding.  Nowadays, they would probably film the scene on a weekend or holiday.
Thanks for the correction on the "flying" bridge. It was the Michigan Ave.

As for the movie shot, I was sitting in 300 Riverside like everyone else wondering why the bridges were going up. Then we saw the Wendella boat come by with all these spot lights, mic booms and film cameras.

Its very possible the original shot was done on a Sunday and this was a reshoot.

A few years later we saw a black helicopter that said "Gotham City Police" from same window.

Glad you survived.

Thanks.  My brother saw a truck reading "Metropolis something-or-other" when they were filming Man of Steel here.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: roadman on June 15, 2018, 10:59:42 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:18:51 PM
A few years later we saw a black helicopter that said "Gotham City Police" from same window.

Filing a Batman movie in Chicago is just SO wrong.  (Chicago = Metropolis).
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on June 18, 2018, 10:20:08 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 15, 2018, 10:59:42 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:18:51 PM
A few years later we saw a black helicopter that said "Gotham City Police" from same window.

Filing a Batman movie in Chicago is just SO wrong.  (Chicago = Metropolis).

Yeah, but it was so much fun seeing Chicago in the Dark Knight Trilogy.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: index on July 09, 2018, 11:37:03 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4757222,-81.9553512,3a,15y,303.6h,88.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saPAJcEHUB65zDA7hoEXgew!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4764933,-81.9570679,3a,60y,322.8h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFnByGa4Z8xaiMSxOb22tcw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



It appears this one may have been movable, judging by the girders and expansion joints. I don't believe it's seen use.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 04:08:19 PM
This bridge was originally built by the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Railroad, later taken over by the Illinois Central.

As you can see the right side pylon is round and was designed to swing the span open for steamer traffic.

From my research, it hasn't been opened since it was tested when built in 1888.  The Wabash River used to be navigable and many of the original spans swung open, were suspended or have high clearance to allow passage as far north as Terre Haute.  As I have read, the bridge tender would walk out and unlock the span and a mule would pull the span open for passing ships.

The left side collapsed in 2000 during a flood when the Wabash channel shifted west.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/43731835925_5006fd4546_c.jpg)

This is why the abandoned New Harmony Bridge (a few miles north) span has such a high clearance.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/43922526244_ee23fd671b_c.jpg)

The Big Four (CCC& StL Railroad) Evansville Secondary bridge at Mt Carmel has a swing span in the middle.  It is still in use for backing coal trains into the Duke Energy plant nearby, but there is no record of this span ever opening. (Sorry, photo is fuzzy). It is now owned by Norfolk Southern.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1900/42831856930_7463884ecf_c.jpg)

Next is a bridge in downtown Mt Carmel. Built by the Southern Railroad, the swing span is way over on the left bank. It is almost blocked by trees. Norfolk Southern owns this bridge as well.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/44591905392_f60ebfc1ea_c.jpg)

This bridge was the Big Four (CCC& StL) Vincennes Secondary and the swing span was in the middle section. It is now owned by a local farmer who operates it as a private toll bridge called "The Wabash Cannonball Bridge". You can drive it yourself. Make sure no one is coming when you start or you will have to backup.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/29703664727_f7e775a945_c.jpg)

The B&O Southwestern built a swing span at Vincennes in the 1880's, but the Wabash flood in 2000 caused the swing section on the Indiana side to loosen and caused alignment trouble.  The current owner is CSX and they had the swing span removed in 2002 and replaced it with a girder plate span.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/30772012788_6b35ccfeee_c.jpg)

The bridge at Riverton, Indiana has a center swing span that has not opened. Originally built by the Illinois Central in the 1890's to replace a narrow gauge to Indianapolis, it is now operated by the Indiana Railroad.  The span is locked in place as the IR has put welded rail in and there are no breaks for the span to move.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/43732987315_1e66d1f12a_c.jpg)

This bridge was originally built by the Peoria & Eastern in the 1890's and has been modified by the current owner CSX. The lift span was centrally located at one time, but CSX replaced it and placed a girder plate in its place.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/30772393568_7cdeee1c92_c.jpg)

Since the Wabash River was not considered reliably navigable north of Terre Haute, the waterway access requirement ended there.  This waterway requirement remained on the books until after World War 2, whereas it was turned over to the Tennessee Valley Authority.  The TVA evaluated it and it was considered not viable for power or water commerce and after removing the dam at Grand Rapids north of Mt Carmel, the water route was formally decommissioned.

The result of this requirement is a bevy of swing and lift spans that never (or rarely) opened. No one can find a record of a steamer coming up the Wabash river after 1900, 10-15 years after most of these bridges were built.

Makes you wonder how many bridge tenders the railroads hired to open and close them, just to have no one come through.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:31:13 PM
Quote from: index on June 03, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.


Do you have the location/coordinates of the bridge/is it named? I'm interested in the swing bridge.

If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.

The draw bridge from 1909 is still standing but closed to traffic. Local clubs are raising money to rehab it as a cross over for the bike trail.

I have looked for the farmers bridge on Google but cant find it. Honestly it has probably rusted and melts into the background and not visible from above.

All I remember is that it looks like just big slab of steel beams with grating on top. It "rolls" over the canal bed using an electric motor with gears.

If you find the coordinates, please share!

I think I may have found the farmer's swing bridge.  It's near Annawan, just north of I-80 (and may be why the farmer wanted the bridge so badly).

https://goo.gl/maps/hiRrwvo82W92
https://goo.gl/maps/6h3DQfRLghT2
Barely visible from I-80: https://goo.gl/maps/zzMZWn48qF42
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 06:36:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:31:13 PM
Quote from: index on June 03, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.


Do you have the location/coordinates of the bridge/is it named? I'm interested in the swing bridge.

If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.

The draw bridge from 1909 is still standing but closed to traffic. Local clubs are raising money to rehab it as a cross over for the bike trail.

I have looked for the farmers bridge on Google but cant find it. Honestly it has probably rusted and melts into the background and not visible from above.

All I remember is that it looks like just big slab of steel beams with grating on top. It "rolls" over the canal bed using an electric motor with gears.

If you find the coordinates, please share!

I think I may have found the farmer's swing bridge.  It's near Annawan, just north of I-80 (and may be why the farmer wanted the bridge so badly).

https://goo.gl/maps/hiRrwvo82W92
https://goo.gl/maps/6h3DQfRLghT2
Barely visible from I-80: https://goo.gl/maps/zzMZWn48qF42

That is probably the site, but that isn't a swing bridge. I would surmise Illinois took out that goofy swing bridge and moved an older truss bridge to the site after the canal was struck from the federal record.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: 1995hoo on December 20, 2018, 02:56:52 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:25:07 PM
Memorial Bridge (between DC and VA) used to be movable, but is no longer movable.  There was also a ceremonial landing spot slightly upriver on the DC side where dignitaries and heads of state could arrive by ship.

If anybody is in the area and has the chance, you can get a really interesting view of the Memorial Bridge drawspan right now from the downriver side (that is, between Memorial Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge) if you can find a place to park. Memorial Bridge is under major construction and they've removed the drawspan's facing on that side, so you can see the interior. Pretty interesting sight. I haven't been able to get a picture yet due to heavy traffic (preventing photography while driving) combined with not passing through at a time of day when the lighting would have been good enough had I parked somewhere.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: abefroman329 on January 01, 2019, 11:36:28 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 20, 2018, 02:56:52 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 30, 2018, 04:25:07 PM
Memorial Bridge (between DC and VA) used to be movable, but is no longer movable.  There was also a ceremonial landing spot slightly upriver on the DC side where dignitaries and heads of state could arrive by ship.

If anybody is in the area and has the chance, you can get a really interesting view of the Memorial Bridge drawspan right now from the downriver side (that is, between Memorial Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge) if you can find a place to park. Memorial Bridge is under major construction and they've removed the drawspan's facing on that side, so you can see the interior. Pretty interesting sight. I haven't been able to get a picture yet due to heavy traffic (preventing photography while driving) combined with not passing through at a time of day when the lighting would have been good enough had I parked somewhere.
I'd love to see a photo.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: westerninterloper on February 23, 2019, 11:30:51 PM
The Upper River Bridge of the Toledo Terminal Line over the Maumee River is currently being dismantled. The swing mechanism was included to allow sailing ships to go as far as Maumee, though it's not clear if the bridge was ever opened.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.mycapture.com%2FTLBL%2FREMOTES%2F27534216E.jpg&hash=4e36afc544f1d205ee10715c77e6ce20a35b9b68)
http://photos.mycapture.com/TLBL/REMOTES/27534216E.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.mycapture.com%2FTLBL%2FREMOTES%2F26587109E.jpg&hash=b8d6068f7eba57fa035d0a2600bbba074e3a381c)
http://photos.mycapture.com/TLBL/REMOTES/26587109E.jpg

From the Toledo Blade:

Upper River Bridge slated for demolition
DAVID PATCH
Blade Staff Writer
dpatch@theblade.com
OCT 14, 2018 2:03 AM

...
Bridges rarely come up for sale, but this one the Wood County Port Authority couldn't even give away.

Instead, the former Upper River Bridge that carried the Toledo Terminal Railroad over the Maumee River between Perrysburg Township and South Toledo is slated for demolition starting Monday, with just a few key components to be saved to preserve its history.

"Not even a nibble,"  Rex Huffman, the port authority's legal counsel, said Friday. "I have not been made aware of any offers for that bridge."
...

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2018/10/12/upper-river-bridge-maumee-wood-county-south-toledo/stories/20181012139
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on October 07, 2019, 09:55:06 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 04, 2018, 06:31:13 PM
Quote from: index on June 03, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasnt opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.


Do you have the location/coordinates of the bridge/is it named? I'm interested in the swing bridge.

If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.

The draw bridge from 1909 is still standing but closed to traffic. Local clubs are raising money to rehab it as a cross over for the bike trail.

I have looked for the farmers bridge on Google but cant find it. Honestly it has probably rusted and melts into the background and not visible from above.

All I remember is that it looks like just big slab of steel beams with grating on top. It "rolls" over the canal bed using an electric motor with gears.

If you find the coordinates, please share!

I think I may have found the farmer's swing bridge.  It's near Annawan, just north of I-80 (and may be why the farmer wanted the bridge so badly).

https://goo.gl/maps/hiRrwvo82W92
https://goo.gl/maps/6h3DQfRLghT2
Barely visible from I-80: https://goo.gl/maps/zzMZWn48qF42

By happenstance I found that rolling swing bridge over the Hennepin Canal.  It's at Lock 17.

Technically, when a ship comes through the canal, the bridge rolls backward to allow clearance.

In this case the bridge was rolled into place and is probably locked now, but you can still see where the bridge "rolls off".

This was a very controversial (and expensive) bridge when it was built in the 1970's.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48862974122_512082e3ce_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: ErmineNotyours on November 05, 2019, 11:18:59 PM
The Union Street Bridge of Salem, Oregon used to be raisable, but now it seems fixed, with the motors and operator house removed.  Those counterweights look real and I hope they don't come crashing down.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49022117346_93b62eae40_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hFVazL)

Quote from: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
For more bridges built to move but never (or rarely did) did, look at some of the bridges over the Hennepin Canal between Bureau and Rock Island Illinois.

There is a draw bridge that hasn't opened in 75 years.

The US67 swing bridge was removed.

But there is a swing bridge built for a farmer but not many pictures exist. He needed to cross the canal to get his farming equipment to his other fields and the original built in 1909 failed.

The issue of who pays for a bridge over a disused canal for a farmer caused such a stink. The canal had reverted from federal to state control. Something to the effect that the canal had not been struck from the record as a federal waterway, therefore no bridges could be built that could impinge on boat clearance.

Now mind you, the canal had not functioned as a whole since the end of WW1 and parts were in use as late as 1946.

But the law was the law. The state of Illinois had to come up with several millions of dollars in the late 1970's to build a swing bridge for the farmer so he could reach his fields. As far as anyone knows, the bridge was only opened once, to pass inspection and reclosed. Its never been open since.

I was just reading about White's Ferry near the C&O Canal in Maryland.  In spite of the efforts to fully restore the canal, if not actually water it, they did allow someone to build a level embankment over the canal, and keep a frame of the old bridge.  Google Street View. (https://goo.gl/maps/rDR16m4c6RHP8EHr7)
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Flint1979 on November 06, 2019, 06:34:34 AM
The rail bridge crossing the Saginaw River near downtown Saginaw has been in the locked position for years. Trains still cross the bridge from time to time but not very often. There is another rail crossing just north of the I-675 bridge that also hasn't been open in years but trains still use it. I followed the railroad to Midland one day it ends up at Dow.

I might want to add that shipping on the Saginaw River stopped not too long after the extremely tall Zilwaukee Bridge was built. The old bridge there was a drawbridge on I-75 that when open would back traffic up for several miles in both directions. Actually part of the reason I-675 was built was to bypass this bridge. The newer bridge is 125 feet tall.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on November 10, 2019, 10:00:08 PM
Hmm...i still love how this topic changed from built to be movable but never used to...used to move but now doesn't
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: bwana39 on April 02, 2020, 04:11:07 PM
Here are a couple. I posted links to Bridgehunter.

https://bridgehunter.com/tx/bowie/index-rr/   This bridge is still in place, but it was bypassed with an adjacent modern bridge around 2015.


https://bridgehunter.com/tx/newton/201760049901001/
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: KEVIN_224 on April 05, 2020, 08:16:41 PM
A swing railroad bridge over the Connecticut River, between Middletown and Portland, CT. The Arrigoni Bridge (CT Routes 1 and 66) sits just north of it.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: RobbieL2415 on April 11, 2020, 12:54:52 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on April 05, 2020, 08:16:41 PM
A swing railroad bridge over the Connecticut River, between Middletown and Portland, CT. The Arrigoni Bridge (CT Routes 1 and 66) sits just north of it.
That bridge is actually in service now.  CSOR uses it to serve a customer in Portland.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: DandyDan on April 12, 2020, 04:19:30 AM
I recall reading somewhere that the Meridian Bridge in Yankton, SD was built to be movable, but then they stopped having river traffic at that point.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on April 12, 2020, 07:38:50 AM
Quote from: DandyDan on April 12, 2020, 04:19:30 AM
I recall reading somewhere that the Meridian Bridge in Yankton, SD was built to be movable, but then they stopped having river traffic at that point.

Found a photo of it being opened with boats going under it
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Urban Prairie Schooner on April 16, 2020, 08:33:11 PM
Bayou Teche is officially navigable from Wax Lake Outlet north to Breaux Bridge or whereabouts (definitely not north of I-10 since that is a fixed span).  There are numerous drawbridges along this stretch including some pretty ancient looking spans. Since there is relatively little industry along the Teche that would generate barge traffic, I wonder how often the Teche drawbridges need to open.  The bridges seem high enough to serve recreational boat traffic without needing to be opened.  DOTD considers the state owned bridges to be active drawbridges, but that is probably since the Teche is considered an official navigable waterway by USACE.  Maybe someone more familiar with the area can provide the details.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on April 16, 2020, 09:49:48 PM
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on April 16, 2020, 08:33:11 PM
Bayou Teche is officially navigable from Wax Lake Outlet north to Breaux Bridge or whereabouts (definitely not north of I-10 since that is a fixed span).  There are numerous drawbridges along this stretch including some pretty ancient looking spans. Since there is relatively little industry along the Teche that would generate barge traffic, I wonder how often the Teche drawbridges need to open.  The bridges seem high enough to serve recreational boat traffic without needing to be opened.  DOTD considers the state owned bridges to be active drawbridges, but that is probably since the Teche is considered an official navigable waterway by USACE.  Maybe someone more familiar with the area can provide the details.

Parks LA is the northernmost movable span.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Rick Powell on April 26, 2020, 05:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 07, 2019, 09:55:06 PM
If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.
Bridgehunter does have the bridge, but not filed under Hennepin Canal for some reason. I worked with bridge photographer Gene Smania at IDOT from the 70s thru the 90s. It does mention that the bridge was placed for farm access, but no back story on installation or local controversy.
https://bridgehunter.com/il/bureau/bh51148/
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: shadyjay on May 06, 2020, 10:07:49 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on April 05, 2020, 08:16:41 PM
A swing railroad bridge over the Connecticut River, between Middletown and Portland, CT. The Arrigoni Bridge (CT Routes 1 and 66) sits just north of it.

It is movable and has been since it was built sometime in the early 20th century.  It is usually kept in the open position, and closed for train movements.  I drive by it quite frequently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_%26_Worcester_railroad_bridge

And the Arrigoni Bridge carries CT 17 and 66.  Due to construction, its currently down to 1 lane each way.

Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on May 08, 2020, 10:25:59 PM
Quote from: index on July 09, 2018, 11:37:03 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4757222,-81.9553512,3a,15y,303.6h,88.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saPAJcEHUB65zDA7hoEXgew!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4764933,-81.9570679,3a,60y,322.8h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFnByGa4Z8xaiMSxOb22tcw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



It appears this one may have been movable, judging by the girders and expansion joints. I don't believe it's seen use.

https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=georgia/5th/
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: davmillar on May 20, 2020, 10:39:22 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 07, 2019, 09:55:06 PM
By happenstance I found that rolling swing bridge over the Hennepin Canal.  It's at Lock 17.

Technically, when a ship comes through the canal, the bridge rolls backward to allow clearance.

In this case the bridge was rolled into place and is probably locked now, but you can still see where the bridge "rolls off".

This was a very controversial (and expensive) bridge when it was built in the 1970's.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48862974122_512082e3ce_z.jpg)

Someone on Google Maps even kindly posted a picture of the rolling mechanism: https://goo.gl/maps/8CRVekiLAaCiZqCh9
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: edwaleni on June 03, 2020, 02:21:19 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 26, 2020, 05:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 07, 2019, 09:55:06 PM
If you go to the bridgehunters website, they have a directory of all bridges over the Hennepin "except" that one for the farmer. It has no name that I am aware of.
Bridgehunter does have the bridge, but not filed under Hennepin Canal for some reason. I worked with bridge photographer Gene Smania at IDOT from the 70s thru the 90s. It does mention that the bridge was placed for farm access, but no back story on installation or local controversy.
https://bridgehunter.com/il/bureau/bh51148/

Thanks for the update Rick.

This bridge was all over the news when I lived in Chicago at the time. They seem to go out of their way to call it public pork and because it wasn't in Chicago or Sangamon County, thought it was fascinating. (Walter Jacobsen at WBBM-TV seemed to take joy at mocking it)
The one thing that happened out of all of this, was that many of archaic laws about former federally funded waterways (some of them dated back to when Abe Lincoln lived in Springfield) got reconciled through a Congressional act (thanks to the Illinois delegation) which allowed "vertical parks" (ones with small widths but very long lengths). The law was signed by then President Ronald Reagan, which also created the Illinois & Michigan Canal Park. This same law is what has been used by various states to use fed funding to return a former public access point back to general public use. Ohio and Pennsylvania have also leveraged this law to return former canals to public use.

Why haven't all the canals been turned into public parks like this? I believe the law was written that only canals that were funded by US congressional acts in the past can qualify.

This would eliminate some old but notorious canals like the Wabash & Erie, which was funded by the State of Indiana in 1835. Privatized by selling it to a trust and then the assets sold at auction when they folded.

Hopefully Illinois DNR can survive this latest round of near bankuptcy state wide and keep many parts of it intact.
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: M3100 on June 14, 2020, 09:43:40 PM
Here's one in Plaquemine, LA, which is on LA-1 just south of Baton Rouge.  The rail bridge is the UP (ex-Texas & Pacific).  Note LA-1 is a divided highway at this point, and only the southbound lanes are on the retired movable bridge.  I don't know if this is a "planned to open but never was" or "previously opened" bridge.  The Mississippi River is out of the picture to the right.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50007262116_5c5cfd9028.jpg)
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: Jacob1980 on August 16, 2020, 04:34:40 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on April 30, 2018, 03:47:54 PM
While bored after driving down I-85,65,10 to get to I-59 in the truck...i looked into why I-10 at the MS/LA state line has a high bridge that has oddly placed expansion joints. It just so happens that when it was built in the late 60s NASA wanted it to be movable because of a planned "Nova" rocket that was to be bigger than the Saturn V, and would need to go up the Pearl River from Michaud to Stennis. It requires a look from the side to see the original intent of the bridge design.

Are there any other bridges like this?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EiB__1Zy9lc%2FVX-NJGG0ZtI%2FAAAAAAAAwOc%2FCaq9tsIuUyw%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2005.JPG&hash=fc3d44425e931498f0891de4b585365202927ade)

When the grate was removed from this drawbridge, I remembered my dad saying there was another one he hard in the news that was going to be removed on an interstate after the i10 pearl river was completed. Later that year We passed over the drawbridge that was going to be removed. I think for some strange reason it was i65 north of mobile. But i was so young, memory may be wrong. The other interstate bridge, like i10 pearl had no gates, no control tower.

Also, I took a trip down the pearl river and have more pictures of the i10 Bridge. I will have to figure out how to attach pictures.  One of the doors at the base were wide open. I was tempted to go exploring. Another interesting item was I did not see any electrical feeds or former electrical connections.  Perhaps this drawbridge
Never operated.  The i10 drawBridge over the pearl river has always been a mystery. I may go explore it one day.



Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: SteveG1988 on August 27, 2020, 12:32:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob1980 on August 16, 2020, 04:34:40 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on April 30, 2018, 03:47:54 PM
While bored after driving down I-85,65,10 to get to I-59 in the truck...i looked into why I-10 at the MS/LA state line has a high bridge that has oddly placed expansion joints. It just so happens that when it was built in the late 60s NASA wanted it to be movable because of a planned "Nova" rocket that was to be bigger than the Saturn V, and would need to go up the Pearl River from Michaud to Stennis. It requires a look from the side to see the original intent of the bridge design.

Are there any other bridges like this?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EiB__1Zy9lc%2FVX-NJGG0ZtI%2FAAAAAAAAwOc%2FCaq9tsIuUyw%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2005.JPG&hash=fc3d44425e931498f0891de4b585365202927ade)

When the grate was removed from this drawbridge, I remembered my dad saying there was another one he hard in the news that was going to be removed on an interstate after the i10 pearl river was completed. Later that year We passed over the drawbridge that was going to be removed. I think for some strange reason it was i65 north of mobile. But i was so young, memory may be wrong. The other interstate bridge, like i10 pearl had no gates, no control tower.

Also, I took a trip down the pearl river and have more pictures of the i10 Bridge. I will have to figure out how to attach pictures.  One of the doors at the base were wide open. I was tempted to go exploring. Another interesting item was I did not see any electrical feeds or former electrical connections.  Perhaps this drawbridge
Never operated.  The i10 drawBridge over the pearl river has always been a mystery. I may go explore it one day.





I think you are confusing a road with a rail bridge, the big bayou canot bridge on the mobile-tensaw delta was built to rotate but never was equipped to do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bayou_Canot_rail_accident
Title: Re: Bridges built to become movable, but never operated.
Post by: MCRoads on September 04, 2020, 02:44:56 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 27, 2020, 12:32:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob1980 on August 16, 2020, 04:34:40 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on April 30, 2018, 03:47:54 PM
While bored after driving down I-85,65,10 to get to I-59 in the truck...i looked into why I-10 at the MS/LA state line has a high bridge that has oddly placed expansion joints. It just so happens that when it was built in the late 60s NASA wanted it to be movable because of a planned "Nova" rocket that was to be bigger than the Saturn V, and would need to go up the Pearl River from Michaud to Stennis. It requires a look from the side to see the original intent of the bridge design.

Are there any other bridges like this?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EiB__1Zy9lc%2FVX-NJGG0ZtI%2FAAAAAAAAwOc%2FCaq9tsIuUyw%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2005.JPG&hash=fc3d44425e931498f0891de4b585365202927ade)

When the grate was removed from this drawbridge, I remembered my dad saying there was another one he hard in the news that was going to be removed on an interstate after the i10 pearl river was completed. Later that year We passed over the drawbridge that was going to be removed. I think for some strange reason it was i65 north of mobile. But i was so young, memory may be wrong. The other interstate bridge, like i10 pearl had no gates, no control tower.

Also, I took a trip down the pearl river and have more pictures of the i10 Bridge. I will have to figure out how to attach pictures.  One of the doors at the base were wide open. I was tempted to go exploring. Another interesting item was I did not see any electrical feeds or former electrical connections.  Perhaps this drawbridge
Never operated.  The i10 drawBridge over the pearl river has always been a mystery. I may go explore it one day.





I think you are confusing a road with a rail bridge, the big bayou canot bridge on the mobile-tensaw delta was built to rotate but never was equipped to do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bayou_Canot_rail_accident

Which is somewhat ironic and very humorous, as the swinging ability caused a rail accident, as the link above explains.