Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1895 — The New Burk’s Bridge. [ARTICLE]

The New Burk’s Bridge.

The new Burk’s bridge four miles north of Rensselaer, over the Iroquois river, was finished and opened for traffic last Friday, as The Republican announced would be the case. About the very first vehicle to cross it was a- heavy traction engine, and that was the first time that a traction engine ever ventured to cross the grade and bridge at that place. The place is one of the worst bog-holes in northern Indiana, and. from the time of the first settlement of the county to the present it has been a great source of trouble and expense, and to maintain a safe and passable bridge and grade there has been almost Impossible, it is confidently believed now, however, that the problem is solved, and that the present bridge will stand. It is 368 feet long, and rests on 22 bents, each supported by four emmense piles, or 88 piles in ail. The piles average in length, about 53 feet, and the longest are 65 feet. All were driven down by a heavy pile, driver until they would go no farther. In some cases as many as five hours were consumed in driving a single pile. John Back, of Lowell, an expert in the pile bridge line, and as we fully believe, a thoroughly reliable and honest man, was the contractor; and Geo. W. Burk, than whom no better nor more faithful man lives in Jasper county, was the superintendent. Not a pile was driven nor a timber placed, that he was not there to see that it was done in the most thorough manner. And the bridge is so firm and solid that a heavy team, driven across it at brisk trot, does not givk it a perceptible jar. The bridge that this takes the place of was also a pile bridge, but not only was there not enough pilings driven, only three to each bent, but owing to the imperfect manner in which the pieces of timber were joined together to make a long pile, they broke at the joints as they were driven down and thus proved very insecure.

The surprising depth to which some of this former piling was supposed to have been driven, is explained by this breaking at the joints. Many of these old piles were drawn out by Mr. Hack and their separation at the joints was thus discovered. The total cost of bridge, including everything, even to the superintendent’s per diem, was $2986.10.