(
Archived Bridge Hunter;
Bridge Hunter;
Historic Bridges;
HAER;
Satellite)
The 833' (254m) bridge has three 215' (65m) spans. [HistoricBridges]
The near span was built in 2012 to replace the span lost in the 2008 flood. I wonder how many pin-connected spans have been built in the 21st Century.
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Iowa Road Trip posted
Sutliff Historic Bridge in Johnson County, Iowa. Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip
Steve Grobin: I can still remember watching the bridge planks hop and move around when crossing with my pickup like 50 years ago 😮 Great food at the tavern for anyone planning to visit. Deanna McGaffey: When I was younger, we called it the rickety rackety bridge. |
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Mandy Ettelson commented on the above post, cropped
Was just there a few weeks ago. |
Provided by Iowa DOT
Description: The Sutliff Bridge spans the Cedar River in the small town of Sutliff, named after long-time resident Allen C. Sutliff. Dry crossings of the Cedar River at this location date to the establishment of the Allan Sutliff's Ferry Service in 1838. Sandbars eventually formed in the river, however, rendering the ferry inoperative, therefore forcing travelers to make a long detour in order to find a suitable crossing. Dissatisfied with this state of affairs, area residents petitioned county supervisors for a permanent structure at Sutliff. City officials finally voted in December 1896 to construct a steel bridge at the old ferry site. To design the bridge, the county turned to an engineer named G.W. Wynn who, it appears, had rather dubious credentials. Referring to Wynn, one Iowa City newspaper reported that the bridge builder's "work has been severely criticized by engineers of high standing." Fortunately, the Sutliff Bridge proved to be a sound structure. The county awarded the contract to erect the bridge to J.R. Sheely and Company of Des Moines on January 8, 1897. Completed for approximately $12,000 in April 1898, the bridge was the longest in the county at that time. Over a thousand people, responding to a local newspaper's request for "All hands to turn out and have a good time," gathered at the new bridge on a beautiful June morning that year for its opening day ceremonies and celebratory picnic. Many decades later, area residents again rallied around their beloved bridge when they worked together to raise money to purchase the Sutliff Bridge from Johnson County in 1984. Currently used as a pedestrian bridge in connection with a surrounding public park, the Sutliff Bridge retains an exceptionally high degree of both historical and structural integrity. It is an outstanding example of an uncommon early wagon truss design.
Built 1897-98; destroyed by flooding June 13, 2008, Restored summer 2012
[ArchivedBridgeHunter]
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| Nov 2008 photo by Quinn Phelan via BridgeHunter |
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Iowa Road Trip posted
Sutliff Historic Bridge in Johnson County, Iowa. Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip |
In addition to building a replacement span, they reinforced the other two spans.
"Significance: Based on current findings from the Iowa Department of
Transportation's truss bridge inventory, Sutliff's Ferry
Bridge is believed to be the longest (approximately 825
feet) and oldest, Parker truss span presently known on
the state's secondary road system. It was built to
facilitate farm-to-market travel, at the site of a ferry
chat had operated from the early 1840's until the late
19th century. Sutliff's Ferry Bridge was designed by
Johnson County Engineer George W. Wynn- Steel, supplied
by Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was fabricated by Fair-Williams Bridge and Manufacturing Co. of Ottumwa, Iowa. Contractor for erection
was J. R. Sheely & Co., of Des Moines, Iowa." [
HAER_data]
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HAER IOWA,52-SOLON.V,1--22
22. J Ceronie and Robert A. Ryan, photographers PIER 3, JUNCTION OF SPANS 2 & 3, LOOKING SE - Sutliff's Ferry Bridge, Spanning Cedar River (Cedar Township), Solon, Johnson County, IA |
This confirms that the spans were of the same length.
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HAER IOWA,52-SOLON.V,1--35
35. Photocopy of original drawing in possession of the County Auditor, Johnson County, Iowa. [SPECIFICATIONS] FOR BRIDGE OVER THE CEDAR RIVER AT SUTLIFF'S FERRY JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA - Sutliff's Ferry Bridge, Spanning Cedar River (Cedar Township), Solon, Johnson County, IA |
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