How Do I Find the Bridges?

Bridge locations in Ohio

If you want to visit some of the remaining bridges near you how do you go about finding them? Well every state is required by the federal government to maintain an inventory of historic bridges. Google the Internet for the website of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for your state and if you’re lucky you will run across the listing. In Ohio, for example, the 2005 inventory of Ohio historic bridges can be found at: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/oes/bridge_status.htm

For Ohio and most states there are also printed materials that provide this information, for example: The Second Ohio Historic Bridge Inventory, Evaluation and Preservation Plan, Ohio DOT 1990; and the Ohio Historical Bridge Guide, Bill Helsel, David Simmons and Miriam Wood. Ohio Historical Bridge Association. Seventh Ed 1999/2000. However the printed documentation is usually dated. It can take some perseverance to get accurate information. That is why I am compiling a list for my area (Ohio). Check out my Website (see Links).