Cave Hill Road Steel Through Truss Bridge, Olean, Indiana

Located in a deep valley just 1 mile from Olean, Indiana is the Cavehill Road Steel Through Truss Bridge. Built in 1948 this single lane Parker Truss bridge replaced a 3 span stone arch bridge that stood at this location. The 3 span stone arch bridge was constructed in 1913 The east span partially collapsed on July 12, 1947. The county commissioners dynamited the remaining two spans the same day.

The current bridge was built in 1948 by the Dean Brothers for $37,183.04. Engraved on the west concrete abutment is the date of January 17, 1949. The bridge is 175 feet long and spans Laughery Creek. This is the only steel through truss bridge still in use in Ripley County outlasting at least six other steel truss bridges including Hughes Ford Bridge in Jefferson Proving Ground, the Laughery Creek Bridge near Ballstown, the Main Street Overpass in Batesville, the Reyker Cloud Bridge in Jefferson Proving Ground and the Ripley Creek-Delaware Road Bridge.

GPS Location: 38º59’49.9″N 85º10’56.6″W