Newbern Bridge

The Newbern Bridge is a through-truss structure that carries the Columbus People Trail over Haw Creek in Columbus, Indiana.

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The Newbern Bridge (Bartholomew County Bridge No. 26) is a through-truss structure that carries the Columbus People Trail over Haw Creek in Columbus, Indiana.

History

The first bridge at this location along County Route 850 East was a covered Howe through-truss spanning Clifty Creek. In September 1904, the Bartholomew County Board of Commissioners adopted specifications for repairs, and in October, awarded an $800 contract to William McCallie. Additional repairs to the siding and roof were authorized in September 1908, with a $190 contract awarded to Boyer, Moore, and Graffy.

The present Newbern Bridge was a pin-connected Camelback Pratt through-truss completed in 1910 by the Vincennes Bridge Company of Vincennes, Indiana. ¹ It was originally constructed for railroad use and later modified to accommodate automobiles. The bridge underwent rehabilitation in 1982. ⁴

Rehabilitation

In 1999, county commissioners voted to replace the aging bridge and secured $960,000 in federal funding. ^{1 2 3} The decision coincided with growing concern at the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) over the loss of historic bridges statewide, prompting the agency to begin developing preservation protocols and evaluation criteria. ³

In 2001, archaeological investigations at the proposed replacement site uncovered more than 350 artifacts, resulting in $100,000 in costs and delaying construction. ^{1 2 3} Despite ongoing concerns about its condition, the bridge remained open under a 12-ton weight limit.

In 2004, Indiana First Lady Nancy Kernan announced the county would receive a $584,000 state grant to renovate the bridge following its replacement. ^{1 2 3} Additional funds were spent on redesign efforts and soil testing. ³ By 2005, total funding allocated for the new bridge had reached $1.25 million. A 2007 proposal to relocate the old bridge to Anderson Falls was abandoned due to concerns about vandalism and off-road vehicle use. ^{2 3}

In 2010, a new proposal emerged to incorporate the bridge into the People Trails system to span Haw Creek south of 25th Street in Columbus. ^{1 2 3}

In 2012, after months of litigation, the county was unable to establish ownership of five parcels required for the replacement project. ³ Once the legal issues were resolved, the state withdrew $584,000 in funding in December 2012, citing eight years of inaction. ^{2 3} Following extensive local lobbying, the county announced in March that it had secured a $1.6 million federal loan to finance the replacement, although the funds could not be allocated until July 2014.

In July 2013, a bridge inspection revealed advanced deterioration, requiring a reduction in the weight limit from 12 tons to 3 tons. ³ A follow-up inspection in January 2014 uncovered heavily rusted stringers, broken metal bracing, and missing latticework supporting the vertical members. ^{2 3}

In September, bids were received for removal and construction. ³ Although Duncan Robertson of Franklin submitted the apparent low bid, the firm was disqualified by the Indiana Department of Transportation due to improper paperwork. INDOT ultimately accepted a $1.4 million bid from Force Construction Company of Columbus in October.

The 104-year-old bridge was closed in November. ^{1 3} It was dismantled in 2015, transported by flatbed truck to Lincoln Park in Columbus, and placed in storage. ¹

In 2016, the county approved funding to restore the bridge for use on a multi-use path. ¹ It was transported to a specialty metal fabrication shop in northern Indiana, where irreparable components were replaced. The rehabilitation was completed in 2017, and the bridge was relocated in September to People’s Park, where it reopened in October as part of the Columbus People Trail over Haw Creek.

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Gallery

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Details

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Sources

1. “Newberg Bridge finds its place along People Trail.” The Republic, 7 Sept. 2017, p. A6.
2. Webber, Mark. “Bridge quality worries officials.” The Republic, 14 Jan. 2014, pp. A1-A9.
3. Webber, Mark. “Bridge Over Time.” The Republic, 29 Oct. 2014, pp. A1-A5.