1923 Original US-66 Devils Elbow Bridge over Big Piney River at Devils Elbow, MO

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

US-66 Overview

"Built 1923; made obsolete by new US 66 bridge in 1942; rehabilitated 2013-14." [ArchivedBridgeHunter]

There are some tourist attractions along the 1942 route.

Street View, Nov 2021

Photo by James McCray via BridgeHunter

Street View, Nov 2021

This shows the "U.S. Rte 66" that bypassed the bridge in 1942. I think the tourist traffic on Route 66 is becoming an important part of the economy in this area, thus MoDOT considers it worth preserving these original 1923 truss bridges. (Route 66 was created in 2026 by designating the original route of the Devils Elbow Bridge as part of the route.) Note that I-44 has bypassed the bypass. [BridgeHunter]

Satellite

Zooming in, it is easy to see the original route across the bridge because Google Maps labels it "U.S. Bicycle Rte 66." But it is not obvious where the original route is north of Rte 66.

Satellite

The original route north of Rte 66 was replaced, not just bypassed, by Rte 66.

1936/36 Waynesville Quad @ 48,000

DC Water is pumping about 42 million gallons of raw sewage into the C&O canal each day

(Satellite, someplace between I-495 and Lock #10.)

After the raw sewage flows in the C&O Canal pass a cave-in of a 72-inch interceptor sewer, they pump the sewage back into the sewer. During the six days it took to get the pumps operational, all of the raw sewage was overflowing into the Potomac River.

Facebook Reel
https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/news/update-dc-water-activates-bypass-contain-wastewater-overflows-potomac

dcwater
The collapse occurred Jan 19, and the pumps stopped the river pollution on Jan 24. Fortunately, the intake for DC's water supply is upstream of this sewer overflow.

The DMV Daily posted

Repairs to a massive sewage spill contaminating the Potomac River could take weeks or even months longer than expected, according to DC Water. 

The spill began Jan. 19 after a 72-inch sewer pipeline, known as the Potomac Interceptor, collapsed near Glen Echo, Maryland, sending raw sewage directly into the river.

DC Water estimates about 243 million gallons of wastewater equal to 368 Olympic-sized swimming pools have spilled so far, mostly in the days before emergency bypass pumping was activated. 

Crews later discovered a large rock and debris blockage inside the pipe, complicating repairs. Clearing the obstruction could take four to six weeks, after which the timeline for permanent repairs will be determined.

While DC Water says recent testing shows E. coli levels within federal safety standards, environmental groups dispute those findings and warn the river may still be unsafe for recreation. Monitoring and cleanup efforts are ongoing.

📸: @dc.water

Chad Schoelkopf: E-coli levels 4,000 times higher than a safe level and DC says they are within safe limits 😡

Kem Clawson commented on the above post
We live about 20 miles down river and starting Sunday the river looked like a waste treatment facility. Now with the warmer temps it SMEELS like one.

Ginger Morrison commented on the above post
The levels are off the chart!

I repeat an above statement: "DC Water says recent testing shows E. coli levels within federal safety standards." When will institutions learn to not say anything rather than tell a blatant, testable, lie?

E. coli levels over 10,000 times the recreational water quality limit have been found. "DC Water estimated that during the peak of the crisis, the pipe was discharging 40 million gallons per day for at least six days." [WUSA9_unsafe, Jan 28, 2026]

Feb 10, 2026: DC Water admits they reported incorrect E. coli levels and provides new figures.

dcwater_feb10
"As noted previously, data highlighted in yellow represents corrections made following a review of the sampling data that identified reporting errors.  These errors were promptly corrected, and additional quality control measures have been implemented to ensure the accuracy of the data being reported."

DC Water on X/Twitter
"Pumping challenges continue at the damaged Potomac Interceptor. Two pumps clogged w/non-disposable wipes Monday night, causing an overflow & contained on-site. E. coli levels remain elevated at collapse site, downstream levels remain below EPA standards"

Feb 11, 2026:

WUSA 9 posted
Super Bowl bathroom breaks triggered a sewage overflow into the Potomac River after non-flushable wipes clogged DC Water's system: https://www.wusa9.com/.../65-bbe1af6c-6dd0-4aad-bb99...
"Non-flushable wipes cause more sewage spills into Potomac River during Super Bowl"

Some comments have wondered what the impact on the crabbing industry in the Chesapeake Bay might be.

Background

The interceptor sewer was built to support Dulles Airport and the surrounding developments.

dcwater_PI

Between 2001 and 2015, DC Water inspected the entire interceptor. "The individual pipe segments inspected indicate the majority of the pipe segments show signs of corrosion, and some show settled deposits." [dcwater_inspections]

They have been working on repairs. In fact, they worked on a segment just upstream of the collapse.

dcwater_high_priority via dcwater_PI

<rant>

The webpage about the inspections contains:

Information about specific rehabilitation efforts is available under the Projects section of this website, including:

Potomac Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation Project

Potomac Interceptor LZ07 Project

But when I tried accessing either of those links, I got:

Either of the above two links.

</rant>

1923 Original US-66 Johnson Creek Bridge near Spencer, MO, and Gary's Gay Parita

Bridge: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Spencer Phillips 66 Station: (Satellite)

Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Station: (Satellite)

Corvair Corner Museum: (Satellite)

US-66 Overview

Street View, Jun 2012

Spencer Phillips 66 Garage

Next to the right truss line in the above photo is a sign for the Spencer Phillips 66 Station.

Street View, Aug 2023

Street View, Aug 2023

Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Station

I think that is a Hudson on the left.

Street View, Jun 2016

Street View, Jun 2016

"Corvair Corner" is just across the side street. I did not know that Corvair made a station wagon.

John Miller, Oct 2018

All Three

Leslie Orologio posted
Going through Route 66 pictures from 2023. Can anyone identify this bridge, please and thank you! 

Andy Wegener: Johnson Creek Bridge near Spencer Station and just minutes from Gary's Gay Parita.

Stephanie Cramer: That’s out historic Johnson Creek Bridge just down the road from our Spencer Station - Route 66! We cherish this historical bridge ❤️

Resa Harbison Bridges: Talked to the owner of the station there. He is restoring it. The pavement in front is original to 1926.

[Some comments indicate that the bridge was built in 1923 for MO-14. Then, in 1926, this stretch became part of US-66.]

Matthew Snoden Walburn: This image is a postcard of the historic single-lane Johnson Creek Bridge on old Route 66 near Spencer, Missouri.

The bridge was built around 1926 as part of the original Route 66.

It is a steel truss bridge with a weight limit of 30 tons, as indicated by the sign in the image.

The bridge and surrounding area, including the nearby Spencer Station, are popular historic stops for Route 66 travelers.

The road was bypassed in 1960, helping preserve this section of the original concrete highway and bridge.

Google image search answer

Spencer Station - Route 66: Matthew Snoden Walburn This and the smaller Pony Bridge going into Paris Springs were both built in 1923. So Google may be wrong on the year! 😉

Al Salazar commented on Leslie's post
Spencer’s Station

Curtis Stephan commented on Leslie's post
That's the old Johnson Creek bridge into Spencer. Site of the old Johnson Mill from the late 1800s. Gets flooded out a lot. Just ahead is the little place of Spencer - diner, gift shop, old barber and car repair. then, you get an original (untouched) part of Route 66.

Diane Smith commented on Leslie's post

Clint McCann commented on Leslie's post
October 2025

This bridge was bypassed in 1960 saving the "U.S. Bicycle Rte 66" for the hardcore Route 66 tourists. Of course, "U.S. Rte 66" is now bypassed by the nearby I-44.

Satellite

1833-1901 US-22 Clarks Ferry Bridge over Susquehanna near Duncannon, PA, was Longest Covered Bridge

1833: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter)

US-22: (Satellite)

Metrotrails posted

Historic image of the Clarks Ferry Covered Bridge, over the Susquehanna near Duncannon PA.

The bridge originally had a towpath walkway on the outside for mules to tow canal boats over the river in slack water provided by a 1,998 foot long dam, the remnants of which can be seen today.

The Eastern Division Canal that used this bridge was completed in 1833 and abandoned about 1901.

The Clark's Ferry Bridge was part of the Main Line Pennsylvania Canal built in 1828. Mules walked on a cantilevered walkway outside the structure and towed canal boats across the river. The dam below the bridge was known as Green's Dam and created a calm surface for the canal boats. The bridge put an end to the hand-poled ferry that existed at this location for nearly 50 years.

Seven different bridges have crossed the Susquehanna at this location. While in Dauphin County the bridge has always had a strong connection to Duncannon and contributed greatly to its growth in the mid-1800s. The covered bridge that stood in the distance was considered at the time to be the longest covered bridge in the world at 2088 feet [636m].

[ArchivedBridgeHunter_1833]

BridgeHunter_1833
"On the towpath on the down-stream side of the bridge can be seen a horse team towing a boat out of the Duncan's Island outlet lock."

BridgeHunter_1833

I noticed what looked like the remnants of the bridge piers and the dam on a satellite image. So I fired up Google Earth to look for images where the Susquehanna had a low flow. These are three of the images I found. It is interesting how some flows emphasize the piers whereas others highlight the dam.

Google Earth, Sep 2010

Google Earth, Oct 2008

Google Earth, Oct 2006

I found this topo map to confirm the location of the dam and bridge pier remnants.

1907/07 New Bloomfield Quad @ 62,500

1925,1999 Montlake Bridge over Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle, WA

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

Postcard via BridgeHunter
This 345' (105m) long bridge has a 182' (55.5m) span.

"Significance: This bridge, a Seattle landmark, is one of six bascule bridges based on a design developed by the City of Seattle which was derived from the Chicago bascule bridge type. It is unique because of its trunnion supports, employed to avoid a patent infringement lawsuit by the Strauss Bascule Bridge Company, and its architectural treatment. The bridge has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places." [HAER_data]

Boat View, Mar 2016

Bridges Now and Then posted
"Bascule opening mechanism during construction, Montlake Bridge, Seattle, January 23, 1924." (Photo by Jame P. Lee, Courtesy MOHAI)

HAER WASH,17-SEAT,14--9
9. NORTH TOWER IN OPEN POSITION - Montlake Bridge, Spanning Montlake Cut at State Route 513, Seattle, King County, WA

William Bassett (Will), Nov 2022

Nicholas Ruhland, Jun 2023

1886 Trail/C&NW Bridge over Pecatonica River near Ridott, IL

(Archived Bridge Hunter was broke; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

2015 photo by John Marvig via BridgeHunter

2015 photo by John Marvig via BridgeHunter

Facebook Reel

Same reel

For those who are bored of bridge photos, you can watch her dance.

Same Reel

BNSF/Milwaukee Sage Creek Trestle and Sage Creek Tunnel near Danvers, MT

Trestle: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Tunnel: (Satellite)

Davonte Pagac posted
Reaching back a long time, Dad would have been about 5 years old when the Milwaukee Rail came through Danvers.  They had to build a trestle over several streams, one of the longest/tallest being over Sage Creek, which was pretty much in Dad's back yard.  Additionally, they had to dig a tunnel between Danvers and Hoosac.  He remembered going to the work camp in the evening, where a number of folks from the community would gather up all of the uneaten pies and food that the camp had left over, which sounded like it was substantial.  Must have been quite an operation to construct all of that.  I came across this picture on a site called smokstak.com, (I'm sure Gary is familiar with it), of the trestle being built. The caption states: "This is a great photo I own of the construction of the steel trestle over Sage Creek in Montana's Judith Basin, on the Milwaukee Railroad's new line from Lewistown to Great Falls in 1913. There is a locomotive providing steam as well as a donkey engine up high on the equipment providing winch lines for erecting the pillars onto the concrete pads below."  Kind of a neat picture.
Rob Biggs: Google maps has a pretty good shot of the tressel, you can see each concrete pillar it sits on, and the shadow of the tressel shows on the ground. How long was the tunnel!?? I fpund ot on Google Maps as well, It looks like its a long one, maybe 1,500 feet or more??

2014 photo by Nathan Morton via BridgeHunter

Dennis DeBruler commented on Rob's comment
Found it: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hmLLqnUXvQpFPjcZ8
[The comment was declined with the feedback: "Your comment was automatically declined based on certain criteria in this group."]

I easily found the trestle and tunnel with this map.

1954/67 Lewistown Quad @ 250,000

When I noticed that the route still has tracks, I checked if BNSF owns this route. It does. I traced the route on Google Maps from Judith Gap through Danvers to the trestle and tunnel.

BNSF