This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1939: Sullivan-Hutsonville

Hutsonville, Illinois and Sullivan, Indiana, USA - Wabash River
Bridgemeister ID:196 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1939
Name:Sullivan-Hutsonville
Location:Hutsonville, Illinois and Sullivan, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Wabash River
Coordinates:39.1101 N 87.6551 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Steinman & Robinson, R.V. Milbank, Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Co., Charles J. Glasgow
References:AAJ, BPL, IMB, SJR19880926
Use:Vehicular (two-lane), with walkway
Status:Demolished, 1989
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:3
Main Span:1 x 106.7 meters (350 feet)
Side Spans:2 x 45.7 meters (150 feet)
Deck width:20 feet
Characteristics:Self-anchored

Notes:

  • Demolished 1989. This bridge was Steinman's attempt at a self-anchored suspension bridge and met a controversial demise in 1989. An article in the September 26, 1988 issue of the Springfield, IL "The State Journal-Register" describes the ongoing controversy. The company to which the $100,000 demolition contract was let offered to turn the money over to save the bridge. The locals agreed, but the company's Chief Engineer Stephen Schneider was quoted, "I think Indiana really wants to tear it down. They've been ... forced to send inspectors out every two weeks. I think they just want the headache gone." Gary Abell, spokesman for the Indiana Dept. Of Highways said its design is "not one of the best. It works in theory, but not in practice. This is like trying to save a mistake." After a lot of back-and-forth, the locals gave up, "We've had it with them. We don't want anything more to do with it. They can tear the damn thing down." Animosity toward this bridge continues 13 years after its demolition. In 2002, in an email to Wayne Grodkiewicz (who provided me with much information about this bridge), an INDOT representative said, "I am not sure why you are interested in that bridge, but from our stand point, it was a very poorly designed bridge that had many many problems from the day that it was completed, until it was brought down."

External Links:


Find bridges within of this bridge's location (39.110100 N 87.655100 W)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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