Adams Street Bridge 1922-2012

Adams Street Bridge 1922-2012. . The Adams Street Bridge, constructed in 1922 by the Miami Conservancy District was a seven-span reinforced concrete filled arch structure totaling 477 feet in length. The bridge incorporated piers from the proceeding four-span concrete arch bridge, built in 1913. The new bridge was extended to span a wider area between new flood levees that were developed by the Miami Conservancy to accommodate high water levels after the devastating 1913 flood. The project was considered a model in engineering and economic efficiency. On April 12, 1923 the "Engineering News-Record" featured an article entitled "Building a new concrete bridge over an old one across the Miami River." The article stated that the construction methods of reinforcing and reusing the existing piers was unprecedented. In addition to utilizing the old piers, the 1913 arches were used as a temporary falsework to construct the new arches, leaving the waterway unobstructed., Thanks to the ingenuity of J.H. Kimball and H.G. Peterson under the direction of A.F. Griffin and superintendent W. D. Rogers at the Miami Conservancy District, the idea of building the new bridge on top of the old one eliminated the potential danger of floods washing out a timber falsework, reduced the amount of concrete and timber needed, and used the existing right-of-way. The Adams Street Bridge featured solid railings that were considered crash-resistant for their time. The bridge served as a focal point during Troy's annual Strawberry Festival for many generations.