Several Indiana communities have incorporated
relocated, restored historic road bridges into their trail designs. Many
of these structures can be acquired free from the FWHA
's Historic Bridge Rescue Program , marketed by INDOT. Only the cost
of relocation and restoration are involved in salvaging the bridges for
trail usage. Although this cost can be prohibitive, funding is available
through programs such as the federal TE grant program.
Judy Hagan stands next to the future Cool Creek Trail
bridge, which will be relocated to Carmel from Randolph County. The
single-lane, 80' Warren Pony Truss design is perfect for trail usage.
The bridge may be placed atop the former electric interurban railroad
abutments, part of the Indianapolis-to-Noblesville segment of the line,
which was abandoned in 1938.
CARROLL COUNTY - After waiting 5 years for a chance at
a "one-of-a-kind" historic iron "Stearns Truss"
bridge, Delphi Historic Trails finally got the chance to move this relic
from Pulaski County in early 2006, although they had to finance the
removal themselves. The bridge now serves the VanScoy Towpath Trail
over the Wabash & Erie Canal.
HAMILTON COUNTY - A Transportation Enhancements grant
in 2005 will help move this "Triple Intersection Warren Through
Truss" bridge from its original location in Washington County over
the Blue River, to its new home as a trail bridge across White River.
The 149-foot bridge, constructed in 1898, will connect multi-use trails
in Hamilton County's Koteewi Park with the White River Campground.
FOUNTAIN COUNTY - Both spans of Fountain County bridge #63 have been
re-used for the developing Covington Circle
Trail, but in two separate locations. Both spans are under 70 feet.
BLOOMINGTON - This 150' wrought-iron truss bridge was
moved from its original home in Warren County where it had spanned Big
Pine Creek since 1887. The bridge was painstakingly restored and placed
over Clear Creek near the Church Lane trailhead of the Clear Creek Trail
on August 1, 2003.
DELPHI - The 1874 Paint Creek Bridge, shown above, originally
spanned Paint Creek (east of Camden, IN), and in 1999 was restored and
moved to its current location. The project was supported by a grant
from the Hometown Indiana Fund and was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer
Hodges.
PLAINFIELD - Across White Lick Creek along the trail of the same name.
The structure is a rare pinned Warren Truss example, built in 1886 and
relocated from a nearby county road.
