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Vicksburg National Military Park Tour Roads
Vicksburg, Mississippi
BRIDGES (continued)
Melan Arch Bridges
Nine of the eleven bridges on Union Avenue were constructed of the Melan arch design, a patented technique for concrete arches using curved steel I-beams for reinforcing. Although the initial cost of these bridges was greater than other bids, the cost of future maintenance and upkeep was expected to be much less and the design fulfilled the requirements of strength, adaptability, and beauty. After nearly a century of use and wear, the bridges retain many of their characteristic features.
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The Melan arch bridges are similar in appearance, consisting of a single span with decorative features such as triangular and rectangular inlays on the spandrel walls and balustrades of concrete pylons with iron grill-work. Minor differences in these structures are primarily in arch radii, length of the span, and number of railing posts.
Few alterations have been made to the bridges over the years, such as the replacement of grillwork due to corrosion and paving the decks. The future, however, does not hold such promise. Originally intended to accommodate horse-and-buggy traffic, the bridges are beginning to deteriorate under the stress of recreational vehicles and tour buses. In 1996 the first Melan bridge to be closed was replaced with a concrete box culvert. It is expected that the remaining bridges will also require replacement. In the future, however, it is hoped that the bridges will be rehabilitated with similar aesthetics. This is desirable in order to maintain the authenticity and uniformity of this significant bridge type, originally designed as an important aspect of the tour route.
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HAER drawing illustrates the varying sizes and shapes of arch spans (G.Seale) |
| Introduction | Acadia | Blue Ridge Parkway | Chickamauga and Chattanooga | Colonial Parkway | Generals Highway | George Washington Memorial Parkway | Great Smoky Mountains | Mount Rainier | Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway | Shenandoah's Skyline Drive | Southwest Circle Tour | Vicksburg | Yellowstone | Yosemite |
