Three abandoned bridges in a row

As you drive US 50 in Illinois, in several places you parallel an older alignment of the road. The state has intended at various times to build a four-lane expressway out of US 50, to the extent that new lanes have been laid down with the presumable intent of rebuilding the old lanes to carry traffic in the opposite direction. Instead, in every case the old lanes have reverted to local use.

One such segment lies just east of Clay City, which is about a third of the way across Illinois from east to west. The old road crosses three streams within two miles just before it reaches Clay City. In the mid-1990s local authorities closed the old bridges over these streams, effectively abandoning that segment of the old highway. This snippet from Google Maps shows this segment in blue and marks the three bridges.

I never get tired of being amazed by what happens to a road when it’s not maintained for 15 years. Here’s the concrete roadway leading eastbound from the eastmost bridge.

Old US 50 in Illinois

The three bridges, rusting away all, were built of steel in 1923. The first two also have unusual brick side rail sections on either end.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Big Muddy River

The first bridge, over the Big Muddy River, has developed a hole in its deck. It’s a testament to the bridge’s truss structure that an asphalt layer that thin could support the weight of traffic for 71 years.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Big Muddy River

I walked out onto the current US 50 bridge to take this photo.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Big Muddy River

The second bridge’s eastern approach is considerably overgrown.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Little Muddy River

My friend Michael was on hand taking photos as well and got me in his picture. The bridge felt very solid while I walked on it, but this photo makes it look frail, as if I might fall off at any moment.

This bridge, which crosses Little Muddy Creek, is of the same design as the first.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Little Muddy River

The third bridge is a little different from the first two, and not just because it lacks brick side rails. While the first two bridges are no-nonsense Pratt through trusses, this one’s gently curving top arch identifies it as a Parker through truss.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Little Wabash River

This bridge crosses the Little Wabash River.

Abandoned US 50 bridge over Little Wabash River

There’s more to come from my US 50 trip, including an 1859 suspension bridge and a bridge that was built but never used.

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Comments

9 responses to “Three abandoned bridges in a row”

  1. Lone Primate Avatar
    Lone Primate

    Ah, look at that, three with one blow! :) And yet you keep marvelling at how there seem to be so many abandoned roads around Toronto…

    1. Jim Avatar

      LP, I had to drive 290 km to get to these bridges!!

      1. Lone Primate Avatar
        Lone Primate

        As they’d say around here, “It’s worth the drive to Acton!” :)

  2. Michael Avatar

    Are you sure that was asphalt? I thought those decks were concrete. Don’t think I’ve ever seen an asphalt slab before.

    1. Jim Avatar

      Hunh. I think I just assumed it was asphalt.

  3. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    These 3 bridges and the Little Wabash overflow bridge are to be removed before 2013. The state doesn’t have money to pay it’s bills, but it can destroy these bridges that are hurting noone!

    1. Jim Avatar

      I will hate to see them go. I only hope the US 50 expressway one day gets built here — it’ll make these bridges’ demise seem less in vain.

  4. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    I was down by the bridges about 2 months ago and there are all still there.

    1. Jim Avatar

      Bob, I’m glad to hear it. I’d like to finally complete US 50 across Illinois one day and with any luck I’ll get to see these bridges again then.

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