Woolsey Bridge

Woolsey Bridge (NRHP listed as Washington County Road 35 Bridge) is a truss bridge built in 1925 located near West Fork, Arkansas. It carries County Route 35 over the West Fork of the White River for 303.0 feet (92.4 m).[1] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Woolsey Bridge
Woolsey Bridge, 2011 (facing northwest)
Location in Arkansas
Location in United States
Nearest cityWoolsey, Arkansas
Coordinates35°53′08″N 94°10′10″W
AreaWashington County
Built1925
Architectural styleTwo pin-connected, 8-panel Parker through trusses
MPSHistoric Bridges of Arkansas MPS
NRHP reference No.00000637
Added to NRHPJune 9, 2000

History

The bridge is historic as the only surviving bridge in the area built in the camelback style. Engineered in a distinct way, the camelback truss is uncommon and this well-preserved example was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 2000.[2]

Design
Oblique view

Bridge designers and engineers of the early 20th century had seen the Pratt truss prove itself as a durable and economically feasible bridge. The Woolsey Bridge was designed as a camelback-through truss design. The camelback is a modification of the Pratt truss by Charles H. Parker which features a top chord that is not parallel to the bottom chord. Although stronger in the center than parallel bridges, the style is less common due to its complexity. The Woolsey Bridge was likely built by a county workforce in 1925, possibly consisting of area residents.[3]

Status

The bridge was closed to traffic of all kinds in January, 2015. It is slated to be replaced in 2015 or 2016.[4] The bridge has been dismantled for restoration as a pedestrian bridge. It has been replaced by a girder truss bridge.

See also

References
  1. "Woolsey Bridge." Bridge Hunter. Bridge Profile. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  2. "Washington County Road 35 Bridge, Woolsey Vic., Washington County." Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. Summary. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  3. "Historic Bridges of Arkansas National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form." United States Department of the Interior. Early Transportation Era; Arkansas Highway and Transportation Era. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  4. "WOOLSEY BRIDGE CLOSED." Washington County, Arkansas. Washington County website Retrieved April 11, 2015.
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