How long is the Van Zile Road Bridge in Indiana?
The Van Zile Road Bridge (officially known as the Hurshtown Bridge) is a historic single-span iron through truss bridge spanning 53.9 meters (176.8 ft) across the St. Joseph River in Allen County, in the US state of Indiana. Built in 1883 by the Massillon Bridge Company, the structure carries paved Van Zile Road near Harlan. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Van Zile Road Bridge (Hurshtown Bridge) | |
|---|---|
| Location | Allen County (St. Joseph Township), Indiana (USA) |
| Route Designation | Van Zile Road |
| Structure Length | 53.9 m (176.8 ft) total / 53.3 m (175.0 ft) main span |
| Roadway Width | 4.79 m (15.7 ft) single-lane width |
| Structure Type | Metal 14-panel pin-connected Whipple (Double-Intersection Pratt) through truss |
| Build Date / Builder | 1883 by Massillon Bridge Company (Massillon, Ohio) |
| Rehabilitation Date | 1999 |
| Weight Limit | 10 Tons |
| Surface | Paved asphalt approach, single-lane wooden/plank deck |
Where is the Van Zile Road Bridge located?
The bridge is located on Van Zile Road in rural northeast Allen County, northeast of Fort Wayne. It crosses the St. Joseph River in a quiet agricultural sector near Hurshtown and Harlan.
What type of bridge is the Hurshtown Bridge?
Constructed in 1883 by the Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio, it is a rare 14-panel pin-connected Whipple (Double-Intersection Pratt) through truss bridge. The single-span iron structure measures 176.8 feet long with a 15.7-foot clear roadway width. The county executed a full structural rehabilitation in 1999 to reinforce the iron framing and retain its 10-ton load capacity.
Can you drive across the Van Zile Road Bridge?
Yes. The bridge remains open to light vehicular traffic operating as a single-lane river crossing. Drivers must yield to oncoming traffic on opposite approaches and observe the posted 10-ton weight limit.
What are the driving conditions on the Van Zile Road Bridge?
The roadway narrows abruptly to 15.7 feet upon entering the iron truss frame. While Van Zile Road is paved, the narrow portal clearance requires drivers to slow down completely, and winter weather creates slick ice conditions over the exposed river deck.
Pic: Mike Fromholt