Pleasantville Covered Bridge 38-06-01

Tony,i have to agree about the headache bars doing their job,especially with this bridge.As for putting headache bars before the bridges a federal mandate would be good.The height restriction is a great idea but maybe make them more decorative so they don't detract from the actual bridge.Just an idea that could work.also don't forget the weight limit signs,especially for any truck over a certain weight like heavy box trucks or tractor-trailers.

Good to see that the easily replaceable headache bars are doing their job.

How great would it be to have a federal mandate requiring headache bars on all historic bridges. Not only would it protect from overhead damage on thru trusses, but it would also thwart overweight vehicles on all.

Don't worry.No idiot truck drivers struck this bridge that i know of.I read an article about the area called Pleasantville in the local paper today and this bridge was mentioned.What was printed in the paper is that this bridge has the unusual distinction of being built in two stages because of the shortage of lumber following the great flood of 1850.This information is in a 1980 application prepared by the Berks County Conservancy for the bridge to be listed on the National Register.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Feb. 23,1981.

Read in Fridays local paper that this bridge is now re-opened after the safety/headache bar that was damaged has been replaced with reflective tape installed in the safety/headache bar.Warning signs about the height limit are posted but maybe idiots driving big trucks might have their own language because this bridge is running a high accident count with big or oversized trucks luckily only hitting the bars and not damaging the bridge which I hope never happens.

Here is a follow up article in todays paper concerning what I posted yesterday.Work is starting today to repair what the paper called the safety bar or as we know a headache bar on the south side of the bridge that was dislodged by a high profile vehicle.The bridge closed just after 7 a.m. Jan. 19 after an unidentified resident notified police that one of the two height-restriction bars was struck and blocking the bridge.This was declared last week by the county an emergency repair project according to the Berks County transportation planner.This repair should be finished by the end of the week.The $20,000 repair cost will cover damage to the safety bar and any other damages.Unfortunately no suspects are being sought because the driver fled the scene and no vehicle parts were left behind.

Here we go again.Just saw a picture in todays local paper of the height restriction bar getting demolished.Don't know which entrance this happened at.Fortunately the bridge wasn't damaged.When the height restriction bar is repaired and the bridge is opened i'll post the information here.One question I have I have is why are idiots still trying to go over these covered bridges that evidently can't take the weight of trucks that are too heavy or too high for the bridge?

Tony,i totally agree.Makes you wonder if they got their CDL's at Wal-Mart instead of the DMV.

Unfortunately George, it happens here in Indiana also... Waaay too much! Lotta people driving big trucks that are unqualified to do so!

I'm not worried about it,Tony.At least they put height restriction bars up but like I said I can't believe truck drivers try and cross this bridge with over size and weight trucks.

Given the media's penchant for getting thing wrong I wouldn't be too concerned about it George.

I have a question that maybe somebody can answer.I noticed the height on the height bar in the pictures and on street view was listed as 11 feet 3 inches.In the local paper it was listed as 10 feet 5 inches.When did they lower the height because I never heard of that?

Just read an article that said this bridge will be closed for a couple of days after a garbage truck struck the height-restriction barrier.This was the second time within a week that the barrier was struck by a high-profile vehicle.The county was planning to repair damage from the first incident but before work could begin it was struck again.Trucks have damaged this bridge several times since it was reopened in 2004 after spending $2.2 million to rebuild this 126-foot-long span.Again,the posted height restriction is 10 feet 5 inches which is posted on the height restriction bar.I guess the question everybody has is why any high-profile truck is hitting this bridge?I just don't get it.

Just read in today's paper that this bridge is reopened after damage to the height restriction bar was fixed.Goes to show how height restriction bars can come in handy when it comes to protecting both truss and covered bridges.By the way,the driver is still going to be cited and most likely have to pay for damages.

Read in this mornings local paper that this bridge is closed indefinitely due to a high profile truck hitting one of the height restriction barriers which also damaged the bridges abutments.The driver stopped and will be cited.As far as I know the covered bridge itself wasn't damaged.I'll let everybody know when I hear or read anything about this bridge.