The struggle to complete the US 36 bridge over the Wabash River at Montezuma, Indiana

The bridge that carries US 36 across the Wabash River at Montezuma, Indiana, is a beautiful example of the Parker through truss bridges the Indiana State Department of Highways commonly built in the years before and after World War II. What makes this survivor remarkable is that it has six spans. This bridge was completed in 1949 to replace a bridge completed in 1892. The two bridges stood side by side for a time. As you can see, the new bridge is considerably wider. The old bridge a was Pennsylvania through truss built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company. The old bridge’s westmost span collapsed on January 28, 1941. Nobody was entirely sure what caused the span to fall, but it involved a large truck trying to avoid a collision with a car, striking a guardrail along the way. It was thought that the span was simply weak with age and use. While this collapsed span was replaced, this event certainly brought attention to the need for a newer bridge. The Daily Clintonian, January 29, 1941…