Bridge Recordation

Current and past viaduct and bridge-related projects, as well as transportation corridors, have been conducted in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Historical Perspectives, Inc. has successfully completed bridge studies for various levels of environmental review, including:

• significance evaluations of both rail and vehicular bridges for EIS compliance;

• photo and video recordation of historic bridges (single-leaf trunion bascule, through truss, swing spans);

• preparation of Historic American Engineering Records (HAER), Level II;

• preparation of National Register Nomination Forms for historic bridges; and,

• marketing of decommissioned significant bridge spans.

The following photographs by Luc Litwinionek, an HPI archaeologist, testify to the quality of the structural recordations that the firm regularly submits to local, state, and federal agencies.

Five of the seven through-truss section spans of the Connecticut River Bridge,Old Saybrook, Connecticut. View from one of the nine piers towards the west/southwest.
HPI photograph by Luc Litwinionek.

The Connecticut River Railroad Bridge is one of eight movable bridges that are found along the Northeast Rail Corridor. It is considered significant because of its through-truss Scherzer rolling lift movable span which is found only on two other bridges along this corridor. The design is characteristic of a particular method of construction and is therefore eligible under Criterion C as defined by The National Register of Historic Places.

Framework for chain drive on fixed deck plate girder span, Niantic Railroad Bridge,
Niantic, Connecticut. View towards the east. HPI photograph by Luc Litwinionek.

Known as "Old Nan", the bridge consists of four fixed-deck girder spans as well as a center span extending 68 feet [ft] (20.7 meters [m]) used as a bascule. The bridge is unique since it presents a variation of the Scherzer rolling-lift design; it has a chain drive that allows the motor and the gears to be placed below the tracks, contrary to the typical design, which had these components on the top of the structure itself with the counterweight.

South truss section of Depot Street Bridge illustrating Parker truss design. View from east bank of the Naugatuck River towards the west. HPI photograph by Luc Litwinionek.

The Beacon Falls, Connecticut, bridge is of particular significance because it exhibits the distinctive characteristics of a Parker modified through truss structure typical of the last decade of extensive use of truss structures in Connecticut, between 1930 and 1940.