1891 Lower Bridge over Pine Creek at English Center, PA

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

HAER PA,41-ENGCE,1--2
2. 3/4 VIEW FROM NORTHWEST. - Lower Bridge at English Center, Spanning Little Pine Creek at State Route 4001, English Center, Lycoming County, PA

HAER PA,41-ENGCE,1--3
3. 3/4 VIEW FROM WEST

Nathan gives this bridge his highest rating, namely two 10s.

HistoricBridges
"This is a bridge so bizarre and unique that it defies classification. It has been called a truss bridge, a suspension bridge, and even a 'two-hinged inverted trussed arch' type bridge. The confusion arises from the fact that this bridge has the characteristics of an eyebar chain suspension bridge, but it also has diagonal members, which are not part of a normal suspension bridge. According to the Historic American Engineering Record, a structural analysis was composed and the bridge was found to function more as a truss than a suspension. Further, they suggested that based on their analysis, the bridge could be called a two-hinged inverted trussed arch.

"Among those structure type choices, HistoricBridges.org has categorized the bridge as a suspension bridge, because of the manner in which the eyebar chain continues past the towers beyond the bridge span itself down to an anchorage. Further, although the diagonal members/braces may act to help stiffen the bridge, the structure's design also features a more traditional form of suspension bridge stiffening, in the form of a shallow deck plate girder, which contributes to the suspension bridge appearance. Finally, classifying it as a suspension bridge on this website seemed logical because not only would most average people looking for this bridge think of the design as a suspension, but the eyebar suspension bridge type would have been a well-known and familiar bridge type in 1891, while on the other hand it is questionable whether engineers in 1891 even knew of a bridge type called a two-hinged inverted trussed arch, even if modern engineering analysis does prove that the bridge functions as such."

"Jim Barker, a historic bridge engineer, commented that he was fascinated by this bridge and was impressed with how it made one of the most efficient uses of materials possible, meaning the total amount of metal in this bridge for its length is relatively small, and constructing a more traditional structure such as a Pratt truss bridge would have used a lot more material in comparison.

"The efficient design of the Lower Bridge speaks to the ingenuity of Dean and Westbrook, the engineers and contractors for the bridge. This is particularly interesting, because Dean and Westbrook do not immediate give the impression of being heavy duty engineers. This is because their main claim to fame was erecting bridges fabricated by another company, since they were agents of the Phoenix Bridge company, and commonly acquired and erected truss bridges that were fabricated by the Phoenix Bridge Company with their trademark Phoenix columns. Dean and Westbrook would take their bridges, erect them, and affix their ornate and distinctive plaque to the bridge. The Lower Bridge does not have Phoenix columns and it does not appear that Phoenix Bridge Company was involved. The Lower Bridge does have the traditional Dean and Westbrook plaque design however. Given that so many bridges built by Dean and Westbrook were associated with Phoenix Bridge, the Lower Bridge is noteworthy as a rare example of a bridge that was entirely the work of Dean and Westbrook. Given the complexity and efficiency of the design, it reveals that Dean and Westbrook were more than just salesmen to be sure, and indeed were very gifted engineers."

"Significance: The Lower Bridge at English Center is the only remaining bridge oftwo completed in 1891 to provide access to this once-important regional logging and tanning center. One of few surviving shortspan roadway suspension bridges in Pennsylvania, the Lower Bridge is also an unusual variant of a braced-chain bridge. The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978." [HAER_data]

Linda has two drive-over clips at the end. They are worth watching because of the sound. The bridge not only has a metal grate deck, but it also creaks and groans as the vehicle goes over.

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