Henderson Bridge (Ohio River)

The Henderson Bridge is a railroad bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson, Kentucky and Vanderburgh County, Indiana. The bridge is owned by the CSX Transportation.

Henderson Bridge
Coordinates37°50′40.8″N 87°35′40.8″W
CarriesCSX Transportation railroad
CrossesOhio River
LocaleHenderson, Kentucky and Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
Total length12,123 ft (3,695 m)
Longest span648 ft (198 m)
History
OpenedDecember 31, 1932
Location in Kentucky

The original bridge was constructed in 1884 to 1885 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at a cost of $2,000,000. The single-tracked bridge was approximately 3,686 feet (1,123 m) long, and its longest span, at 525 feet (160 m), was reputed to be the longest trestle span in the world at that time. The bridge ran from the northern edge of Main Street in Henderson to the low water mark on the Indiana side, resting on 15 stone piers. It was designed to carry two 118,000-pound (54,000 kg) engines followed by 60,000-pound (27,000 kg) coal tenders, and its maximum uniform load capacity was 2,500 pounds per foot (3,700 kg/m). A crowd of 8,000 watched the first train cross the bridge on July 13, 1885.[1]

Prior to the opening of the bridge, railroad passengers and freight had to be transferred to a ferry for the river crossing. The bridge reduced the travel time by several hours.[2]

By 1930 the volume and weight of train traffic were taxing the capabilities of the original bridge. Construction of a new bridge just upstream of the old one began in May 1931. The new bridge, costing over $3,000,000, opened on December 31, 1932. Including its approaches, It is 12,123 feet (3,695 m) long, and its span over the main channel is 648 feet (198 m) long. The demolition of the old bridge, using dynamite, was completed on December 11, 1933.[3][4]

References
  1. Herr 2000, pp. 76-77.
  2. Herr 2000, p. 76.
  3. Herr 2000, pp. 252.
  4. Thurman 2008, pp. 12-14.
  • Herr, Kincaid A. (2000). The Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 1850-1963 (Revised March 1964 ed.). Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-9318-2. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  • Thurman, Susan Sommers (2008). Postcard History Series: Henderson. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5355-9. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
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