Dean Road Bridge at Risk for Demolition!

Photo: Nathan Holth 6/2007
SFN 4734734

This fine example of a rare Double Intersect Pratt Through Bridge was built by the Massillon Bridge Co. in 1898 and carries Dean Road over the Vermilion River in Lorain County. This bridge is jointly maintained by Erie and Lorain Counties. The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places but reportedly is about to be closed with the intent to replace it. The bridge is on a low traffic rural road and would seem to be a prime candidate for rehabilitation. They should take as a model the Rommels Mill Bridge preservation project recently completed in nearby Richland County.

Express your concerns to the Lorain County Engineer and the Erie County Engineer

Rare Concrete Bridge in Gallia County

Photo: Don O'Brien 10/2007

This concrete cantilever bridge is on old State Route 35 over Raccoon Creek in Gallia County. It is believed to be the only remaining concrete cantile­ver bridge of a type created by the Ohio state highway department in the early 1920's. David Simmons wrote an article about this unique type of construction that appeared in the Ohio County Engineers News, Fall 1990. (Contact the webmaster if you would like a copy). Recently Don O'Brien located and photographed this bridge. See more pictures here.

Private Pratt Fall

Photos: 10/21/2007 rj

I was riding by this private Pratt pony near Axe Handle Road and SR-161 in Union County today and captured this incident! The tractor's front wheels have broken through the deck of the bridge and several people are assessing the situation.

This is one of three small private historic metal bridges in the region of SR-161 over Little Darby Creek (more information here). I hope the damage is not serious.

Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Website

There are 16 covered bridges in this county which are each described in a Website . In addition to the annual bridge festival (held in mid October) that offers guided tours of these bridges, self directed driving tours are supported by maps available from their website.