A stone arch culvert on 251st Road near Dexter (#20 on our Cowley bridge map), has been demolished and replaced with a more modern structure.
The Culvert
The 251st Road culvert was one of the larger ones of several stone arch culverts near Dexter, all built along the same lines. The 251st Road culvert was a sizable culvert, large enough to walk through, and made entirely of small stones. The arch itself was a mere six inches or so thick. Due to the gradual loss of mortar in the culvert, “punching” had clearly been a problem as indicated by the repairs in the top of the arch done with concrete. The stones had loosened up, and eventually fell through, leaving a hole in the roadway. Shortly before it was demolished, the culvert had partially collapsed on the south side.
Based on appearances, a general loosening of the stones over time caused by large loads (farm equipment used this culvert) had caused the collapse. The risk of failure had been indicated previously by the distinct leaning of the spandrel wall and a section of the arch.
The location of this culvert is still depicted on the Cowley bridge map, but a red X through the number reflects its demise. It is an unfortunate, but not uncommon failure; the general loss of mortar over the years when not checked leads to loosening of the stones and eventual damage to the structure. Another example of this type of deterioration is seen in the large triple-arch Pudden bridge also near Dexter, where debris impacts knocked out part of the middle arch.
Stone Arch Bridges 