Author: Martha CarverPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 664
Book Description
Bridges, from simple slabs to elaborate engineering marvels, have been both impediments and boons to mankind since ancient times. These fascinating structures allow us to criss-cross the country, yet we often take bridges for granted as we travel. What types of bridges exist in Tennessee? What is their history? Which bridge companies practiced in Tennessee? What is the significance of bridges around the state? In this publication, with historical context, narrative history, images, and drawings, Martha Carver, a historian with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), addresses those issues and explores an overall bridge history in Tennessee, up to the end of World War II. This publication details TDOT's state-wide survey of vehicular metal truss, timber truss, masonry arch, concrete arch, metal arch, and suspension bridges that have been or are currently located on highways It discusses the survey's findings, including: Historical context of road and bridge construction ; Bridge companies that practiced in Tennessee ; An engineering context ; Information on each bridge that has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The survey reveals the existence of a surprising number of significant historic bridges and provides a foundation for their preservation. It also provides a detailed context of bridge history in Tennessee that will appeal to not only historians, but also to anyone who has wondered about the history of a bridge in their community. -- Book Jacket.