Winding Stairs Road Bridges

Crossings of East and West Channels of the Nantahala River in Swain County, NC

Near the south end of Nantahala Gorge, a popular section of river for whitewater rafting and kayaking, are these two little Pratt pony truss bridges. Both bridges cross separate channels of the Nantahala River at a sliver of an island, with the western span crossing the main channel. Along with an earthen causeway over the island these two state-maintained structures connect a US Forest Road to a parking lot just off US 74/19. The bridges have been moved here from another location, as evident by their non-original bolted connections alongside the riveted ones. Each bridge has NCDOT-standard signage on both sides, as well as more recent wooden railings and an asphalt over wood deck.

Design-wise both of these bridges are identical in most respects. At the time they were originally constructed, in 1930, bridge building had become more standardized and less experimental. The vertical and diagonal members, as well as the bottom chords, are shared between the two structures. The east channel span has one more truss panel than the west channel span, in order to handle its greater length. The other difference is in the front posts and upper chords: on the west channel span these have V-lacing on both sides (the zigzagging sections of steel you see in the above picture), whereas on the east channel span they are located only on the inside. The steel on both bridges was manufactured by Eastern and Pencoyd (the latter of which made all L-channel steel sections.) The east channel bridge also had Carnegie stamps on its front posts.

Pictures of the East Channel Span

L: a view of the span from the south. C: an oblique shot of the truss. R: a shot looking across the bridge.

L: an outer panel, front post, and vertical. R: a distant shot, showing the structure's scenic mountain backdrop.

L: an upper chord / front post connection, showing the bolts that were installed later on. C: a lower chord connection. R: a connection between two diagonal members.

Pictures of the West Channel Span

L: a view of the bridge from the woods along the shore. C: an oblique shot of a truss from on the bridge. Right: looking across the bridge, facing west.

L: an oblique shot of a truss taken from below. C: an upper chord / front post connection. R: a lower chord connection.

Winding Stairs Road Bridges

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