New Bridge for Vermilion – July 13, 1928

Ninety-three years ago this month, the plans for a new bridge over the Vermilion River were in the bidding stages.

Below is the article that appeared in the Lorain Times-Herald back on July 13, 1928 announcing that bids for the various projects associated with the new bridge would be received at the office of the state highway department in Columbus on July 27th.

The article notes, “Bids of four different jobs in connection with the bridge will be received. The total work is expected to approximate $125,000.

“One proposal is for grading, widening and surfacing the new approach to the span. This improvement will be 984 feet in length and January 1 is the date for completion.

“Another proposal is for a new steel truss bride over the river to have a span of 243 feet with a roadway 36 feet wide and two sidewalks.

“The other two proposals are for the furnishing of brick and materials for the job.”

According to bridgehunter.com, Fort Pitt Bridge Works of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ended up building the bridge, which was completed in 1929. 

Here’s an early photo of the completed bridge, circa 1929, courtesy of Drew Penfield’s Lake Shore Rail Maps website.

Courtesy Lake Shore Rail Maps
(Pearl Roscoe photo)

Today, the still-charming bridge carrying U.S. Route 6 over the Vermilion River has long been a local landmark, featured on many postcards through the years.