Simply a beautiful structure. In the authors opinion, this bridge is one of the most visually appealing and beautiful bridges in the United States.
Numerous factors can lead to a bridge being as visually appealing as this one. First, the backdrop. The river is nearly half a mile wide at this location, and a blue sky and blue-brown water make for a visually contrasting picture.
The latticework, unique contrast of spans and geometry of the spans also gives a distinct look to the bridge. Finally, the stone piers give a good look to the bridge.
The main span is a single 442 Foot Swing Span, with the two spans connecting over a tower. Each span is 221 feet in length, giving a wide navigation channel of nearly 200 feet. Each span includes laced endposts.
Each of the two connected spans that make up the swing span are pin connected, 7 panel pratt through trusses.
On the Illinois Side, the bridge sees a dramatic curve to the east from the north. All three of the spans are skewed, 7 panel pin connected Pratt Through Trusses at 200 Feet Long.
The spans are heavily laced for the era, including laced endposts.
The spans rest primarily on stone substructures, while the northern pier connecting to the swing span is concrete.
The Iowa approach features four huge crescent shaped Pennsylvania Through Trusses, in which the bridge gets its name.
Each span is a massive structure, featuring heavy pin connections, massive lattice style sway and portal bracing, laced endposts and varying sizes.
The southernmost Iowa Approach is a whopping 360 Feet Long, with 12 panels. The remaining spans are 300 Feet each, with 10 panels.
The remaining Iowa approach is a short 85 Foot Fishbellied Deck Plate Girder, added in 1905 by the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company.
All substructures, with the exception of the north abutment are stone.
Overall, the bridge is likely the more significant structure in the Quad Cities, over the Government Bridge. The other bridge is a 1,850 Foot Long Baltimore Through Truss, combined for Road and Railroad use.
However, this bridge does not receive the attention it deserves. While it can be seen from the Centennial Bridge (US-67), it is not as visible and celebrated as the Government Bridge.
This bridge should be considered a Nationally Significant Bridge, and should be preserved in the current configuration at all costs.
The bridge is easily viewed from trails on either side of the river.
The photo above is looking from the east bank. The Illinois approaches can be seen to the right, the Iowa approaches in the left. The swing span is parked in open position.
| Upstream (Sylvan Slough) | IAIS Sylvan Slough Bridge |
| Upstream (Main Channel) | Government (Arsenal) Bridge |
| Downstream | Keithsburg Lift Bridge |
These Pictures Start at varying points in the Series, for the Pictures taken by others
Details Photos from March 2015
