Berne-Geneva Trail & Historic Multi-Span Truss Rehabilitation

Summary:

The Berne-Geneva Trail allows pedestrians to traverse safely utilizing a paved path and one major crossing over the Wabash River. Adams County, with assistance from Friends of the Limberlost, raised funds to purchase and relocate the existing “Bunge Bridge” over the St. Mary’s River in Decatur, IN to allow access across the river. The 155-foot structure was a near replica of the existing bridge located at the current project site, and both were fabricated by the Grand Rapids Railroad from the 1900s. The trusses were rehabilitated and installed along the new trail using existing stone abutments and through constructing new modern abutments. These will serve as a focal point for pedestrians and motorists to celebrate the modern and historic construction practices.

The towns of Berne and Geneva are separated by approximately 4 miles along the abandoned railroad corridor and a multi-use path allowed for pedestrian access between the two towns. The one thing which stood in the way of completing the connection was the crossing at the Wabash River.