Plattsmouth Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plattsmouth Bridge |
|
|---|---|
View from Nebraska side
|
|
| Coordinates | 41°0′4″N 95°52′0″W / 41.00111°N 95.86667°W |
| Crosses | Missouri River |
| Locale | Cass County, Nebraska and Mills County, Iowa |
| Owner | Plattsmouth, Nebraska |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss |
| Material | Steel |
| History | |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | $1.75 |
|
Plattsmouth Bridge
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Built by | Omaha Structural Steel Works |
| Architectural style | Cantlevered through truss |
| MPS | Highway Bridges in Nebraska MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000755 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1993 |
The Plattsmouth Bridge is a special kind of bridge called a truss bridge. It crosses the mighty Missouri River, connecting two states: Nebraska (in Cass County, Nebraska) and Iowa (in Mills County, Iowa). It's located near the town of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
Until 2014, this bridge was part of U.S. Highway 34, a major road that helped people travel across the river.
Contents
What is the Plattsmouth Bridge?
The Plattsmouth Bridge is a truss bridge, which means it uses a strong framework of connected triangles to support its weight. This design makes bridges very sturdy.
How Big is the Bridge?
The bridge has seven main sections, called spans. The longest part, which goes over the deepest part of the river, is about 402 feet (123 meters) long.
It also has other sections that are 201 feet (61 meters) long and 203 feet (62 meters) long. These parts cross over the flat land next to the river.
The bridge is about 14 feet 5 inches (4.4 meters) tall, which is how much space there is for boats to pass underneath. It is also about 20 feet (6 meters) wide, which is enough for cars to drive across.
History of the Plattsmouth Bridge
The Plattsmouth Bridge was built in 1929. Before the bridge was built, people used a ferry to cross the river at this spot. A ferry is like a boat that carries cars and people.
The bridge was designed by a company called the Omaha Structural Steel Works. They made sure the bridge was strong and safe for everyone to use.
Repairs and Changes
In 2006, officials decided to fix up the old bridge instead of building a brand new one. There were plans for a new bridge that would have cost a lot of money and been built a bit south of the old one.
In 2007, the bridge changed owners. It went from being owned by a private company to being owned by a public group called the Plattsmouth Bridge Commission. This meant it was now managed for the public good.
The bridge was closed for several months in 2008 for important repairs. It reopened in November 2008, ready for traffic again.
Tolls and New Roads
For many years, drivers had to pay a small fee, called a toll, to cross the Plattsmouth Bridge. In 2011, the toll for cars was $1.25, and by 2018, it went up to $1.75.
In 2014, a big change happened. Highway 34 was moved to a new, wider bridge further north. This new bridge has four lanes, making travel even easier. This meant the Plattsmouth Bridge was no longer part of the main highway route.
