Truss Bridges

Truss Bridges

These are bridges in which the roadway or railroad is held up by a cage-like structure of dozens of smaller steel (or iron) members instead of a few heavy beams. This page contains links to a few truss bridges I have visited in North Carolina and elsewhere.

North Carolina

The Coastal Plain

• The 6th Street Bridge -- A robust Pratt truss built in 1911 that is an historic piece of downtown Wilmington's railroad past.

• Bladen County Bridge No. 12 -- Also known is the NC 11 truss bridge, this rusting landmark once towered over the Cape Fear River.

• Cape Fear Memorial Bridge -- A vertical lift bridge with a Warren truss main span, the longest bridge span in NC.

• Hilton Railroad Bridge -- Located in Wilmington, NC, this is a Warren truss bascule bridge that remains open most of the time.

• Surf City Swing Bridge -- Crossing over the Intracoastal Waterway, this was one of the few remaining truss swing bridges in North Carolina.

• Tar Heel Ferry Road Bridge -- an imposing Pennsylvania truss over the Cape Fear that was the longest fixed span in the state.

The Piedmont

• Cumnock Railroad Bridges -- Two Warren through truss bridges that have some interesting design characteristics.

• Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge -- Featuring an uncommon truss configuration, this bridge is now the centerpiece of a county park.

• Durham County Bridge No. 28 -- A rare multi-span Warren Pony truss bridge that was left standing when its replacement was built.

• NC 87 & 100 Railroad Overpass -- Built in 1938, this is a stout overpass built to cross a road at an angle.

• Norfolk Southern Cape Fear River Bridge -- A multi-span Warren truss railroad bridge that once carried the mainline of the original Norfolk Southern.

• Person County Bridge No. 35 -- A Pratt pony truss that has been bypassed and nearly become one with the forest.

• Rocky River Truss Bridge -- A pin-connected Pratt truss that still carries traffic on a quiet Chatham County back road.

• Sellars Mill Road Bridge -- A pair of relocated private pony truss bridges over the Haw River.

• Whitney Railroad Bridge -- A 1910 Warren truss bridge over the Yadkin which was original to the rail line.

The Mountains

• Barkers Creek Road Bridge -- An impressive nine-panel, 160-foot Camelback truss that has been bypassed but left in place

• Bryson City Railroad Bridge -- a pre-1900 riveted Warren truss whose diagonal members together form a pronounced letter "W"

• Davidson River Pony Truss Bridge -- A long-span, prefabricated Warren pony truss that was probably erected because of the New Deal.

• Ela Railroad Bridge -- a scenic Warren through truss built in 1900 that has both riveted and pinned connections.

• Hungry Creek Road Bridge -- a 1930s Pratt pony truss that serves as the only way across the East Fork Pigeon River for a handful of residents.

• Lovejoy Road Bridge -- a Pratt truss built in 1891 featuring rare Phoenix columns, making it one of the most historic bridges in the state.

• Steel Bridge Road Bridge -- a late pin-connected Pratt truss that appears to be apart of a state-maintained driveway.

• Winding Stairs Road Bridges -- Two non-identical Pratt pony truss bridges that cross the Nantahala River in a National Forest.

Virginia

The Piedmont

• Gholson Bridge -- a two span, wrought iron Pratt through truss from 1884 over the Meherrin River.

• Morgan Ford Bridge -- Located over a scenic river, this eight-panel pin-connected Pratt truss appears to have been apart of recycling project.

• Norfolk Southern Staunton River Bridge at Altavista -- A two-span, skewed Pratt deck truss bridge that carries one of the most important rail lines in the South.

• Riverbend Road Bridge -- a Warren/Pratt hybrid through truss that once carried US 29 over the Otter River in Altavista, VA.

• Taylor's Mill Road Bridge -- Built in 1915, this is a nice example of Virginia Bridge and Iron Co. Pratt through truss construction.

• US 29 Business Staunton River Bridge -- A lost standard plan, two-span Polygonal Warren truss bridge with pony truss side spans that was the notable entrance into Altavista, VA.

• VA 57 Banister River Bridge -- A standard plan riveted Pratt pony truss bridge that carries a 55-MPH rural highway without a weight limit.