This book covers in two volumes the state of movable bridge technology at the time (1900 to 1925), a period considered the hay days of bridge construction (roadway and railroad) in the US. Volume 1 covers bridge superstructures, volume 2 machinery. The books are richly illustrated in a text book manner. It is still a "must have read" text for any movable bridge designer in our time. Hovey was assistant chief engineer at the American Bridge Company.

Hovey is still referenced in many of today's articles about the subject movable bridges.