Old US 60 Bridge across the Arkansas river

The Old River Bridge at one time carried US 60 across the Arkansas river from Osage county into Kay county and the eastern edge of  Ponca City. The history of this bridge is rather interesting. Built in 1911 by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co., of Leavenworth, Kansas, the bridge was, until the 1930's a 7-span structure consisting of six through Pratt spans, and one Parker pony truss. All spans were of riveted construction.Then, sometime in the 1930's the bridge washed out, leaving only the western most Pratt span, which had still been in service until 2004, when the whole bridge was demolished.  

No record exists for where the three big pin-connected Parker spans came from, but data for the bridge was altered to reflect their original construction date of 1920.

Each of the pin-connected Parker spans were about 190 long.  The deck is wood with an asphalt overlay. The weight limit was 3 tons.  This bridge saw rather heavy traffic and was in bad shape until it was torn down are rebuilt.  It was condemed several times, closed and then reopend. 

The last time I crossed over the bridge was back in the late 1990's.  At that time the driving surface was constructed out of wood planks.  Only one car at a time could cross and you could see the river through the floor between and on each side of the planks.  The road that leads to the cache used to be the main road leading up to the West side of the bridge.