On a chilly, foggy late autumn morning, I departed from my home in Indianapolis for a day-long journey through south-central Indiana to photograph some of the region’s notable bridges, long on my list to capture.
About an hour into the drive, I stopped to conduct an early morning flyover of the Gateway Arch Bridge, a distinctive structure that carries Interstate 65 over State Road 46 in Columbus. This bridge type was chosen for its ability to support four lanes of highway traffic across a wide span without the need for central piers. Completed in 1996, the bridge features transverse box girder floor beams suspended by cable-stay hangers from its steel basket-handle arches.
However, this innovative design has become a challenge for ongoing expansion efforts on Interstate 65. Originally built with four lanes, the bridge now creates a bottleneck as traffic volumes have surged and the interstate has been widened to six lanes on either side of the structure. Preliminary discussions are underway about how to address the limitations of the bridge, which cannot be expanded to accommodate additional lanes.
After exiting the interstate near Rockford, I continued south along State Road 11 and stopped to fly over an impressive two-span Parker through truss bridge spanning the East Fork White River in Jackson County. Built in 1939, this bridge introduced a new truss design for the Indiana Department of Highways, featuring a more expansive deck supported by additional panels and heavier structural members.
As the morning fog began to lift, a mostly clear sky emerged, perfectly reflected in the still waters of the river below, adding a serene backdrop to the flight.
West of Seymour stands the Shields’ Mill Covered Bridge, a historic Burr arch truss structure spanning the East Fork White River.
After 1850, Indiana law allowed local communities to form bridge companies when tax revenues fell short of covering construction costs. In Jackson County, thirteen German farming families south of the East Fork White River sought a dependable crossing to transport grain to Shields, where trains connected to the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. The Hamilton Township Bridge Company was formed, funded by German-American stockholders who invested between $500 and $700 each. Despite initial resistance from the county, the company reorganized in 1876 and commissioned master bridge builder Joseph J. Daniels of Rockville.
Completed the same year, the bridge featured two spans supported by a cut limestone pier and abutments, with arches crafted from poplar wood. The portals were painted white with three coats of paint, and the siding was finished in iron red oxide.
In 1970, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, and ownership was transferred to the Jackson County Park & Recreation Board. A modern concrete and steel bridge bypassed the covered bridge in October 1980. After decades of decline, the Shields’ Mill Covered Bridge underwent full restoration between 2015 and 2018.
The Medora Covered Bridge, an even more remarkable structure, once carried State Road 235 over the East Fork White River in Medora. It holds the distinction of being the longest surviving covered bridge in the United States.
Built in 1875 by Joseph J. Daniels to replace a ferry, the bridge features a three-span Burr arch design with Kingpost trusses. Unlike many covered bridges, it was constructed without laminated arch components, relying on some ironwork for lateral stability and to connect the arch to the multiple Kingpost trusses.
In 1917, the Indiana Highway Commission designated a roadway from Evansville to Aurora, including the Medora Covered Bridge, as Market Route 4. Carr and Driftwood Township trustees maintained the bridge until April 1, 1920, when the commission took responsibility for the route. In 1926, the bridge became part of US Route 50 but was reassigned to State Road 235 in 1935 after US 50 was rerouted upriver.
Scheduled for demolition in 1968 to make way for a modern bridge, the Medora Covered Bridge was saved by an order from Governor Whitcomb in 1971. A new steel and concrete bridge opened alongside the historic structure in 1973. After decades of neglect, the Medora Covered Bridge underwent extensive restoration in 2011.
I concluded the day at the Sparks Ferry Bridge, a closed structure featuring both through and pony trusses spanning the East Fork White River. Built around 1890 by the Youngstown Bridge Company of Youngstown, Ohio, the bridge is also known as the Sparksville Bridge or County Bridge No. 203. It was closed to traffic in 2006 following the completion of a replacement bridge nearby.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I concluded my journey through south-central Indiana, reflecting on the region’s rich history of bridge construction. Each structure I visited told a story of innovation, resilience, and the communities that built them—testaments to the evolving transportation needs and the determination to preserve heritage.
The old truss bridges are totally cool. Used to inspect them for PENNDOT.