Airtight Bridge

The Airtight Bridge is a steel bridge spanning the Embarras River in Coles County, Illinois, in the United States 8 miles (13 km) north of Charleston, Illinois. The bridge is a Pratt through truss bridge with a steel structure, a wooden deck, and concrete piers. The bridge was built in 1914 by the Decatur Bridge Company and designed by engineer Claude L. James.[2] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[1] It reportedly got its name from the unnatural stillness encountered when crossing it.

Airtight Bridge
Eastern portal
Airtight Bridge is located in Illinois
Airtight Bridge
Nearest cityCharleston, IL
Coordinates39°33′18″N 88°05′22″W
Built1914
ArchitectClaude L. James
MPSColes County Highway Bridges Over the Embarras River TR
NRHP reference No.81000211 [1]
Added to NRHPNovember 30, 1981
Airtight Bridge
Coordinates39°33′18″N 88°05′22″W
CarriesTownship road 275
CrossesEmbarras River
Locale8 miles NE of Charleston, Illinois
ID number3165
Characteristics
DesignPratt through truss
Total length188 feet 4 inches
Width15 feet 7 inches
Clearance above13 feet 7 inches
History
Opened1914
Location

In 1980, a dismembered corpse was found on the east bank of the river 30 yards downstream from the bridge, leading to significant local press attention. Police investigated for years, but were unable to determine the identity of the victim until 1992, when DNA testing produced a match to a missing person from Kankakee, Illinois. Once a cold case investigated by the Illinois State Police, the victim's husband was charged with the murder on March 2, 2017.[3]

Notes
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Bridge Inventory Form: Airtight Bridge" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  3. Clark, Bonnie (December 5, 2008). "Airtight Bridge murder victim honored by daughter who barely knew her". Journal Gazette & Times-Courier. Retrieved December 18, 2013.


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