Bridge Location
County: Oregon
Road: Missouri 19
Feature Crossed: Eleven Point River
Other Location Information: Approximately 7.5 miles north of Alton
Structure Number: Bridge No. K0344
Bridge Information
Owner: Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission
Type: Two Pony Truss, Warren alternating verticals subtype, wide flange girder approach spans
Length: Total length: 364’, each pony truss is 90’
Width: 22’ roadway width
Year Built: 1934
Builder: Kelly & Underwood, Granby, Missouri
Current Load Rating: Trucks over 38 tons 15 MPH
For further information and proposal submittals, interested parties may contact:
Name: Karen L. Daniels, Senior Historic Preservation Specialist
Organization: Missouri Department of Transportation
Address: P. O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102
E-Mail: karen.daniels@modot.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 526-7346
Narrative Description:
Bridge K0344 is a 364’ multi-span bridge with three wide flange girder approach spans on the northeast end in a 47’-47’-48’ configuration, two 90’ pony truss spans and a 38’ wide flange girder span. The bridge has concrete abutments and wingwalls, concrete column bents and piers with concrete web walls, a concrete deck with curb and asphalt wearing surface, and a two-tier channel railing.
The field inspection for the bridge was made in March 1933. The recommended layout was for three 45’ I-beam spans and two 110’ trusses. An alternate layout using 90’ trusses and more approach spans was also proposed. The Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) expressed concerns about the steep grade approaching the bridge (9.489%) and recommended a wide bridge width to compensate for the grade. The BPR also express that “although the road is in a way unimportant, it is a scenic feature, on of the most beautiful in the state. It is an extension of Route 19. It will therefore likely carry heavy tourist traffic.” The bridge was constructed as part of project SB-3A of the Public Works Administration project PWA-76, docket 3296). Low bidder for the project was Kelly & Underwood of Granby, with a bid of $41,557.83, the project was awarded on October 9, 1934, and completed on March 20, 1935.
The bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under criteria A and C for local significance in transportation, recreation, and engineering. The bridge is a good example of a standard plan multi-span Warren pony truss. The bridge is also significant for its association with the development of the state highway system providing access to the Missouri State Park System and recreational driving.
MoDOT’s Historic Preservation Section is now accepting proposals for the relocation and reuse of the bridge or its components until December 31, 2024. A proposal checklist is available MoDOT’s Free Bridges website (http://www.modot.org/freebridges/). Preservation covenants may accompany the bridge.