Most of them are found on lightly traveled country roads or in city parks.
Joyful sounds emerge from the wheels as you drive across. That's especially true on the bridges with a metal deck that offers a view.
It makes sense for snow melt and traction to have the little metal rectangles to provide extra grip for the tires as we cross.
Likely dependent on the speed and size of the vehicle, one imagines a full musical score could be filled with the melody of the wheels.
You can find this one in rural Rock County, Wisconsin near Clinton and just outside the unincorporated town of Tiffany.
The size and angle of approach proscribes caution and a slower speed at crossing the bridge. It's also important to check that the road ahead is clear, so you don't meet an oncoming vehicle heading your way.
There is such a thing as bridge etiquette that reflect the rules of the road. If someone is on the bridge, you wait on your side and allow enough room for the vehicle to exit. If it's clear, you proceed.On longer spans, it makes sense for small groups of vehicles to cross together to speed up the process. Many times these bridges will have stoplights or stop signs for guidance.
Take turns and everybody is fine - just like we learned in kindergarten.
The straight lines and angles strengthen the bridge to support its traffic. It also creates a geometric design of beauty that adds style to the function of the bridge.
Some bridges like this are bright silver. I recall a large steel trestle bridge painted purple in Cincinnati.
This dark green color matches the landscape spring through fall and stands out starkly during the white vista of winter.
The style of bridge is efficient and means for shorter spans like this one, it can rest on each bank without support in the middle because the weight is borne through the lattice of steel.
It's a nice weekend in this part of the world. If it is where you are at, get out on some country roads and appreciate some bridges.
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