Taylor's Mill Road Bridge

**Update: sadly, this bridge has been demolished**

While I often lament the drabness of bridge designs today, I can see how truss bridges could have been viewed similarly a century ago, when a structure like this one was a common sight. To bridge enthusiasts such as myself there is beauty to be found in this structure, in its intricacy, the skill of the engineering, the geometric shapes made by the intersection angles, the blending of the steel with the forest. But I can also see how it would be overlooked, especially in times past, when it was less of a novelty. This seven-panel Pratt truss features absolutely no ornamentation. Its A-frame portal bracing and pipe railings exude the industrial, hardly calling attention to the crossing as a whole. It is representative of later pin-connected truss bridge construction, when plain, standardized structures had displaced the more ornate and experimental ones of the previous century.

The truss span dates to 1915 and was built for the Virginia State Highway Commission by the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company, a fitting marriage that no doubt produced most of the state's truss bridges. It contains a number of design features that conform to the standards employed by these two parties, the most apparent being the pipe railings, which appeared on Virginia bridges into the 1930s. The other feature that appears on often Virginia bridges is the vertical members that appear to be "sideways:" the v-laced sides (or zigzagging, as I often call it) of the beams face toward the roadway/woods instead of towards the portals of the bridge, opposite the case on most other truss bridges (a similar arrangement can be found on the Morgan Ford Bridge). Asides from this minor oddity, the Pratt design appears to be rather straightforward and traditional.

The existence of bolts instead of hot metal rivets at several spots on the structure probably indicates that it had been relocated to this crossing at some time in its history. The National Bridge Inventory lists it as having been built in 1932, which is a possible date for its erection at this location. However, it appears to me that the piers have a boxy, more angular look to them that seems more of a 1950s or 1960s style; this is an observation with little basis, however. There is an unused pier beneath the bridge that is extremely short; I can't say whether or not it ever supported this bridge.

Sadly, the underside of this bridge has been ravaged by the effects of road salt. There is apparent metal flaking on the steel stringers, mere beams that could be replaced along with the deck, but may nevertheless be used to condemn the entire bridge. The floor beams and bottom chord components are rusting severely as well, could very well start to lose their integrity. Road agencies should make sure their bridges are sound before laying down the destructive little grains, but seldom are they this responsible.

Another unfortunate aspect of this bridge is the difficulty in photographing it. As it is close to the tree line, you can expect branches to block most side shots. This is why I took my pictures in the winter, and even still the angle I was forced to make due with was awkward. At the same time, its location in a valley amplified the negative effects of the low and uneven winter sun, causing my shots to be bleached out and to have extreme exposures. They were made to be tolerable after some adjustment, but I was still disappointed in the results.

Facts

• Year Built: 1915
• Builder: Virginia Bridge and Iron Co.
• Route Carried: Taylor's Mill Road (SR-676)
• Crosses: Whitehorn Creek
• Location: Pittsylvania County, VA.
• Design:
• Seven-panel, pin-connected Pratt through truss main span;
• Two steel stringer approach spans.
• Inside width: 15.7 ft., two lanes
• Length of main span: 119.1 ft. Total structure length: 181.1 ft
• National Bridge Inventory ID: 13610
• Coordinates: 36°53'42.98"N, 79°20'36.86"W

Pictures

• Various side views of the main span. Note the angular, modern-style piers and the older unused pier that is below.

• Portal views of the main span.

• L: the underside of the truss span. R: the north approach span.

• L: Detail of the pipe railing. C: Jones and Laughlin stamp on a vertical member. R: one of the two bridge plaques (this is the one that is easier to read).

• L: Front post / top chord connection. R: Top chord / vertical member connection.

• Bottom chord connections.