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people, Virginia and other states have established special funds to eliminate iron truss bridges.
WHEN MOST of the iron bridges were built at the turn of the century, says Askew, they were remarkably strong structures. But increased road traffic heavier vehicles and time have weakened the bridges. Sometimes the once sturdy stone abutments are now cracked.
“They’re unpredictable,” shrugs Askew. “A big tanker truck could go over with no problem, then it could break under the weight of a small sports car.”
The trusses are held together with four metal “pins”—two on a side. It’s impossible to tell when a pin might break, says Askew.
Askew agrees that the old iron truss bridges are “nicer” than concrete bridges, but he said he knows of no one who now makes the parts for an iron truss bridge. And if someone did, its likely cost would be prohibitive, he added.
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