Hurricane Deck Bridge

Hurricane Deck Bridge is a truss arch bridge located on Lake of the Ozarks in Camden County, Missouri. It carries Missouri Route 5 across the Osage Arm of the lake. It is perhaps one of the most distinctive features on the lake. It is the only truss-type bridge remaining on the lake. The American Institute of Steel Construction selected the bridge as the most beautiful steel span built in 1936. It is about half a mile long.

History

Construction for the bridge began in 1934 and was completed in 1936. The bridge was one of three bridges on the lake constructed with the truss support below the deck enabling passengers to see the lake clearly. The bridge construction was similar to that of the original Niangua Bridge. Before the bridge was built cars were moved across the lake by ferry.

At one time the bridge was originally a toll bridge. The prices to pass were 40 cents for car and driver, 5 cents for each additional passenger; cars towing trailers had to pay 60 cents plus the nickel surcharge for each additional passenger. You could also save a dime by purchasing a round trip toll.

Similarities and Differences to the I-35 W Bridge

The Hurricane Deck Bridge is one of the most identical bridges to the I-35 W Bridge in the nation and the most identical in Missouri. However, it is in much better condition today than the original I-35 W Bridge.

Similarities

• Deck-truss construction
• Vehicular-type bridge

Differences

• The Hurricane Deck Bridge has a longer main span than the I-35 W Bridge (462 feet vs. 458 feet).
• The Hurricane Deck Bridge has piers in the water while the I-35 W Bridge spanned both sides of the Mississippi River.
• The Hurricane Deck Bridge is a lot less busy than the I-35 W Bridge (8,166 cars daily vs. 140,000 cars daily).
• The Hurricane Deck Bridge has a weaker steel construction than the I-35 W Bridge steel construction.

References

• http://www.bridgehunter.com/mo/camden/hurricane-deck/
• http://www.modot.org/bridgeinspections/