Scotts Bridge
West Mail Road Saint Croix River Crossing
Gordon, WI

Scotts Bridge

• Structure ID: NBI: P16011900000000.
• Location: River Mile 153.4.
• River Elevation: 990 Feet.
• Highway: West Mail Road (Town Of Gordon).
• Daily Traffic Count: 100 (2003).
• Bridge Type: Steel Girder, Concrete Deck Paved With Asphalt.
• Length: 61 Feet.
• Width: 22 Feet, 2 Traffic Lanes.
• Navigation Channel Width: Non-Navigable.
• Height Above Water: 7 Feet.
• Date Built: 1963.
I have not been able to learn anything difintive about Scotts Bridge, its history, or why it is named the Scotts Bridge. I assume that the bridge was named after the nearby Scotts Rapids, but that raises the question of who Scotts Rapids was named after.

Based on the road name, West Mail Road, I am guessing that this road was upgraded from a rural forest trail back in the depression era of the 1930s when rural mail delivery was vastly expanded, and depression era jobs programs made such projects possible. The original bridge was most likely a narrow one-lane timber bridge, or perhaps had a very light duty steel truss section. Such a bridge would have been obsolete by the 1960s when the current bridge was built.

The current Scotts Bridge is a very basic structure. The first construction work would have been to drive piles in at the ends of the bridge and for the wing walls. Timber was placed behind the piles, and the roadway was built up. From there, beams were placed across the span and the deck was poured. Finally, light duty guard rails were installed, and the bridge was opened to traffic. At some point, the highway was paved or seal-coated. The new surface was also applied to the bridge deck, which is kind of unusual. Normally, a concrete bridge deck is not paved over.

The railings and guardrails are painted a pastel yellow color, which is a welcome change of pace from the more typical silver color.


Scotts Bridge
Scotts Bridge
Scotts Bridge
Scotts Bridge

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