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Switzer, Franklin County

If you find errors in the data please contact Bill Caswell.

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Inventory Number: KY/17-37-01#2
County: Franklin County
Township:
Town/Village: Switzer
Bridge Name: Switzer
Crosses: North Fork Elkhorn Creek
Truss type: Howe
Spans: 1
Length: 120'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1998
Builder:
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N38 15.234
Longitude: W084 45.128
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 4.7 miles east of jct US421 on US460, then 3.4 miles left on KY1262 to the bridge on the right side of the road.

Switzer Bridge, Switzer, Franklin County, KY Built 1998
Bill Caswell Photo, May 2002

Switzer Bridge, Switzer, Franklin County, KY Built 1998
Bill Caswell Photo, March 4, 2016

Comments:
Switzer Bridge over North Fork Elkhorn Creek was originally built in 1855. Each entrance of this bridge had a sawtooth edge. It was restored by Louis Bower in 1906 and was closed to traffic in 1954. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It had vertical siding. The bridge was restored by Wood & Wood Builders 1991-1992. It was severely damaged by floodwaters on March 3, 1997. The bridge was rebuilt in 1998 by INTECH Engineering. 14-panel truss.

Sources:
Database of Kentucky covered bridges compiled by Robert W. M. Laughlin
Laughlin, Robert W. M. and Melissa C. Jurgensen. Covered Bridges of Kentucky, 2007, page 78
Wood, Miriam F. & Simmons, David A.. Covered Bridges: Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, 2007, pages 238, 249
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 33

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