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Vallonia Bridge

Vallonia Bridge

Published December 16, 2024 By Sherman Cahal

The Vallonia Bridge is a historic through truss structure spanning the East Fork White River on County Road 375 West near Fort Vallonia, Indiana.

The Vallonia Bridge is a historic through truss structure spanning the East Fork White River on County Road 375 West near Fort Vallonia, Indiana.

Constructed in 1887 by the Indiana Bridge Company of Muncie, the bridge features a two-span Whipple through truss design. 1 It was among the company’s earliest projects and its first two-span Whipple through truss.

In October 1988, the Vallonia Bridge was closed due to structural concerns after failing a structural analysis. 2 3 Repairs costing $20,000 allowed the bridge to reopen, and in 1989, heavy overhead bars were welded onto the structure to block vehicles exceeding its three-ton weight limit. 2 Although replacing the bridge was estimated to cost $1 million, no firm construction timeline was established.

Preliminary engineering work began earlier in 1988 under federal and state oversight. 2 Since the project qualified for federal aid, the federal government agreed to cover 80% of the cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 20%.

In April 2005, bids were advertised for the bridge’s design contract, which was awarded to Janseen & Spaans Engineering of Columbus. 9 Construction bids were opened in August 2006, 8 and by September, final bridge plans were submitted to the Indiana Department of Transportation for review. 6

Land acquisition for the new Vallonia Bridge began in early 2007. 4 Construction was overseen by HNTB of Indianapolis and performed by Force Construction of Columbus. 11

High water levels delayed construction, but the old bridge closed to traffic on July 7, 2008. 10 The new three-span, 335-foot-long concrete beam bridge 7 opened on December 16, at a cost of $1.2 million. 11

Vallonia Bridge
Vallonia Bridge

Details

  • State: Indiana
  • Route: County Road 375 West
  • Status: Active (Pedestrian)
  • Type: Whipple Through Truss
  • Total Length: 249'
  • Main Span Length: 123'
  • Spans: 0
  • Deck Width: 16.2'
  • Roadway Width: 0
  • Height of Structure: 0
  • Above Vertical Clearance: 17'
  • Navigational Clearance: 0

Sources

  1. Cooper, James L. “Jackson County Bridge #193.” National Park Service, 1984.
  2. Davis, Dan. “Vallonia Bridge gets highway barricades, attention of farmers.” The Tribune, 23 Mar. 1989, pp. 1-8.
  3. Davis, Dan. “Councilmen OK $210,000 shifts.” The Tribune, 15 Oct. 1988, p. 1.
  4. Emily, Brandy. “County reviews bridge projects.” The Tribune, 10 Feb. 2007, p. 5A.
  5. Woods, Aubrey. “Condemnation may be sought for land.” The Tribune, 19 Jan. 2007, p. 1B.
  6. Peters, Janet. “Future policies, goals for county reviewed.” Jackson County Banner, 7 Sept. 2006, pp. 1-12.
  7. “Legal Notices.” Jackson County Banner, 14 Aug. 2006, p. 15.
  8. “County seeks bids on Vallonia Bridge.” The Tribune, 4 Aug. 2006, p. 2A.
  9. Peters, Janet. “Commissioners OK Owen resolution, juvenile services help.” Jackson County Banner, 24 Mar. 2005, pp. 1-9.
  10. Woods, Aubrey. “Bridges survive flood.” The Tribune, 3 Jul. 2008, pp. 1A-2A.
  11. “Vallonia Bridge Opens.” The Tribune, 18 Dec. 2008, p. 2A.

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