Historic bridge moved to new location to make way for modern replacement
By Kay Kruse-Stanton
Imagine the year 1910 : Cars across the entire United States numbered less than 500,000 . Millions of horses supplied the power behind local transportation . Less than 10 percent of the roadways across the country were improved ; most were just dirt tracks .
When a single-lane Pratt through truss bridge was built over Turtle Creek that year , it brought the latest in transportation technology to the residents of Turtle and La Prairie townships in Rock County , Wisconsin , just 7 miles from Beloit . South Smith Road and the bridge provided a connection between East Creek Road and CTH “ J ,” carrying people on their way to work , families on their way to buy groceries , and even young , blossoming courtships .
But after more than 100 years , the bridge was in poor condition ; by 2015 transportation experts recommended its replacement . Deterioration was evident from the concrete abutments to the overhead steel elements , despite faithful maintenance to keep the bridge in good condition .
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