Home > Massachusetts > Belmont > Boston & Maine Railroad, Clark Street Bridge, Spanning Boston & Maine Railroad on Clark Street, Belmont, Middlesex County, MA
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Item Title
Boston & Maine Railroad, Clark Street Bridge, Spanning Boston & Maine Railroad on Clark Street, Belmont, Middlesex County, MA
LocationSpanning Boston & Maine Railroad on Clark Street,
Belmont, MA
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Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1968.
Notes
Survey number HAER MA-94
Building/structure dates:
1908 initial construction
Significance: The Boston & Maine Railroad built wood and iron truss bridges into the twentieth century, long after most other railroads had switched to all-metal bridges. The Clark Street Bridge is representative of a type of Howe pony truss that the railroad used for spans ranging from approximately 30' to 60' in length. The bridge is a well-executed example of the final evolution of the Howe form, and it combines those innovations that were the product of the intuitive understanding of the carpenter, with those born of later engineering disciplines. Of the eight extant wooden pony trusses identified in the Massachusetts Department of Public Works database, the Clark Street Bridge is the only example to show the fully developed Howe form, all others being of modified Howe form. Of the eight wooden pony trusses, it is one of six that have boxed (covered) trusses.
Subjects
Vehicular Bridges
Related Names
Boston & Maine Railroad
Collection
Historic American Engineering Record (Library of Congress)
Contents
Photograph caption(s):
1. General view of south portal from roadway, looking north
2. General view of east elevation, looking west
3. General view of west elevation, looking east
4. Detail of west truss, showing exposed truss configuration
5. Detail of west truss at southwest corner
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