Westerville Truss Bridge over Alum Creek
Westerville, Ohio

Relocation and and restoration of the Westerville Truss Bridge over Alum Creek in Westerville received a Preservation Merit Award.

A major 19th century innovation in bridge design, only a few of these iron-truss bridges remain in central Ohio. Built by the Columbus Bridge Company in 1888, it originally spanned Big Darby Creek, linking Beach Rd. in western Franklin County with Lucas Rd. in Madison County.

To preserve the bridge, it was relocated to the Westerville Bikeway spanning Alum Creek. The bridge was kept in its original condition through rigorous engineering and reconstruction efforts. Because the Westerville Truss Bridge is one of the few (and best-preserved) examples of a 19th century double-intersection Pratt bridge still standing in central Ohio, engineers carefully relocated the structure in accordance with standards set forth by the Historic American Engineering Record.

The project was undertaken by Jones-Stuckey, Ltd., of Columbus, engineers for the Westerville Bikeway, working with the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department, and the Franklin County Engineer's Office.

Reusing the bridge on a bike path will preserve it for another lifetime while maintaining central Ohio's connection to its bridge-building past.

Past Recipients: For a list of past Ohio Historic Preservation Office Award recipients click here.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Office is Ohio's official historic preservation agency. A part of the Ohio Historical Society, it identifies historic places in Ohio, nominates properties to the National Register of Historic Places, reviews federally-assisted projects for effects on Ohio's historic, architectural, and archaeological resources, consults on the conservation of older buildings and sites, and offers educational programs and publications.