The distance from North Jefferson to Hartsburg is 10.4 miles. The trail passes through Claysville at milepost 149.8 and crosses Turkey, Cedar, and Slate creeks. Bluffs are on the right side, and a wide variety of habitats including farms and wetlands are on the left. The Missouri River can be seen at several locations on the left. Two main truss bridge types are used on the Katy Trail: the through truss and pony truss. Trusses are used because they are rigid and prevent a bridge from swaying from side to side or sagging in the middle under heavy loads. This rigidity is accomplished by using diagonal beams as well as vertical and horizontal ones. The framework distributes the bridge's load so that each beam shares a portion. Truss bridges were designed to carry heavy loads, yet they are relatively lightweight. Railroad bridges constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were made of steel because it is more durable than wood and iron and less costly than masonry.