Conestogo Bridge - Woolwich, ON - Truss Bridges on Waymarking.com

A single-lane truss bridge spanning the Conestogo River, this is one of the oldest remaining metal truss bridges in Canada. Built in 1886, the two-span truss bridge features some unique elements. In their assessment of the bridge, historicbridges.org ranked this bridge as being a 9/10 in terms of both local and national importance:

This bridge is among the oldest metal truss bridges remaining in Canada. Constructed in 1886 by the Hamilton Bridge Company, which at the time was known as the Hamilton Bridge and Tool Company, this bridge displays a number of unusual construction details.

In particular, some of the diagonal members on the pin-connected bridge are not typical eyebars, and instead are bars that split into an unusual two-prong design that includes holes at the end to accept the pin. These appear to have been designed for diagonals in those panels where there was not to be a pair of diagonal members, but a single diagonal only. The split design allows the u-bolt hanger to fit on the pin in between the prongs, while the prongs fit in between the vertical members. On other diagonals where there are a pair of more traditional loop-forged eyebars, the eyebars are positioned on both sides of the vertical member on the pin.

Another unusual detail is the excessive use of eyebar (or eye rod) with dedicated pin connections for the bracing of this bridge, including within the portal bracing, where eye rods (complete with turnbuckles) connect to pins on the portal bracing.

The top chord and end posts of the bridge are not designed to neatly meet together smoothly, and instead the top chord has the appearance of a box beam simply resting on the end posts. The ends of the top chord end abruptly after the end post. The ends of the top chord are covered up by builder plaques. This technique is generally found only on earlier truss bridges, like the Conestogo Bridge.

The bridge's historically significant trusses overall retain good historic integrity. The only substantial alteration appears to be the addition of post-tensioning cables to some diagonal members. Because these cables are additions, and did not remove the original diagonal members, they are considered a minor alteration. There is currently no paint on the bridge to protect the bridge from future deterioration. Currently, the bridge is in good condition for its age, and any deterioration noted on the bridge could easily be corrected as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation that would repair, blast clean, and repaint the bridge, preparing it for another century of reliable service.

An issue found in the heritage inventory discussion was the statement that "The original Conestogo Bridge spanning the Conestoga River was built in 1886. The current Conestogo Bridge was built in 1928." This statement appears to be incorrect. While the substructure (piers and abutments) may have been constructed, the truss superstructure, which includes plaques with the date 1886 on them and also stylistically dates to the 1880s based on its details is clearly not a 1928 structure. The bridge undoubtedly dates to 1886.

Source: historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ontario/conestogo/

Parking Coordinates:: N 43° 32.284 W 080° 30.308 Date Built: 01/01/1886 Length of Span: Main Span Length - 130.6 Feet (39.81 Meters) Structure Length - 261 Feet (79.55 Meters) Roadway Width - 18 Feet (5.49 Meters) (source: historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ontario/conestogo/) www: https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ontario/conestogo/

Visit Instructions:
Log your find with a picture of the bridge with yourself or your GPS in the foreground. This shot does not have to be taken "on" the bridge. The shot should show the "truss" structure of the bridge as well.

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