The Sykesville Bypass Bridge
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
It may look ordinary to most, but the Sykesville Bypass Bridge is actually an important historical piece. Though now closed, the Sykesville Bypass Bridge was built and opened in 1963. At almost 300 feet long, the bridge remains the longest aluminum triangular box beam girder bridge in the world. As well as this, it is a rare find, being only one of six aluminum bridges in the continental United States, and the only one in the state of Maryland. While the bridge is now closed to traffic, it remains a historical marker.
Images
A view of the new Sykesville Bypass Bridge.
Here, you can see the original Sykesville Bypass Bridge on the right side.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
In the early to mid 20th century, the United States was endeavoring to expand its network of roads. Using both state and federal assets, more and more steel was being used up to create this network - and it became more scarce as a result. Fearing that there would have to be a necessary alternative, aluminum began to be used, despite its higher costs. However, only six all-aluminum bridges would be built, due to the costs.
In 1963, the Sykesville Bypass Bridge was built. Based on the Fairchild design created in the early 60's, this two lane bridge stands at 294 feet long. The deck of the bridge is made of concrete, supported by three girders that are made of of triangular aluminum box beams. In turn, these girders are supported by two abutments of reinforced concrete. It officially opened to traffic on October 17, 1963.
But it would not last forever. After 41 years of service, the bridge closed down in 2004. This was due to the premature deterioration of the bridge's aluminum components, as well as the deterioration of the concrete bridge piers. The bridge remains open as a historical marker, and a relic of 60's-era America.
In 1963, the Sykesville Bypass Bridge was built. Based on the Fairchild design created in the early 60's, this two lane bridge stands at 294 feet long. The deck of the bridge is made of concrete, supported by three girders that are made of of triangular aluminum box beams. In turn, these girders are supported by two abutments of reinforced concrete. It officially opened to traffic on October 17, 1963.
But it would not last forever. After 41 years of service, the bridge closed down in 2004. This was due to the premature deterioration of the bridge's aluminum components, as well as the deterioration of the concrete bridge piers. The bridge remains open as a historical marker, and a relic of 60's-era America.
Sources
Robby, F.. The Sykesville Bypass Bridge Historical Marker. The Historical Marker Database. June 16, 2016. Accessed March 01, 2018. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=19222.
Old Main Line Photo Tour. TrainWeb. Accessed March 01, 2018. http://www.trainweb.org/oldmainline/omld8.htm.
White, Jack. Sykesville - The Town that Refused to Die. Sykesville Online. April 09, 2012. Accessed March 01, 2018. http://www.sykesvilleonline.com/sykesville-the-town-that-refused-to-die-part-1/.
Old Main Line Photo Tour. TrainWeb. Accessed March 01, 2018. http://www.trainweb.org/oldmainline/omld8.htm.
White, Jack. Sykesville - The Town that Refused to Die. Sykesville Online. April 09, 2012. Accessed March 01, 2018. http://www.sykesvilleonline.com/sykesville-the-town-that-refused-to-die-part-1/.