Besides the age this is one sturdy bridge that unfortunately is showing it's age.I am from Quakertown and might have been over this bridge.Would be nice if it doesn't get removed.
Damage found and slated for removal and replacement. https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2018/04...
As per an article printed in todays Reading Eagle this bridge has been replaced and is open.How I found out about this bridge is a resident complained in the article that PennDOT has not repaved the approaches to the bridge.PennDOT said because the blacktop plants are closed they can't pave the approaches until spring.Sounds fishy to me.
As per an article printed in todays Reading Eagle this bridge has been replaced and is open.How I found out about this bridge is a resident complained in the article that PennDOT has not repaved the approaches to the bridge.PennDOT said because the blacktop plants are closed they can't pave the approaches until spring.Sounds fishy to me.
Art,i'm using a new laptop and I screwed up by printing that message 3 times.As for what i said i'm going to look at this bridge when I can because of the material they're using on the bridge and plus i'm very curious.
Art,this sounds like a great idea.I'll have to look into this when i'm in the area.
Another article:
https://www.compositesworld.com/blog/post/composite-advantag...
Looking upstream at Watsontown Bridge, taken 2017
I mentioned on the other bridge site that I counted 26 piers,not 25 and wondering if I was right or wrong.
I counted 26 piers where the original bridge was.Am I right or wrong on the pier count?
George 28 spans to this one adjacent to
I have a question.I counted 25 piers.Were there 25 individual truss spans on this bridge?That's alot of spans!
Okay,Will.Thanks for explaining everything to me.I see your point.
George, I spent a fair amount of time in your area while engaged in a preservation project on the Bertolet Saw Mill at the Daniel Boone Homestead, (I also spent seven months just over the MD line on a bridge restoration) in that time I familiarized myself with many Berks Bridges, including this one and others that have already been PennDOT'd.
Beyond the loss of the rare example Berks County typology Lower Lats, my secondary issues with this tact are that on other bridges where both the Abutments are replaced and the bridge is steel-stringerized, the workmanship on needed repairs to the truss framing tends to be poorly executed. (Look to Pine Grove none so far to the south as an example) On top of those concerns the added costs and much higher totals of this systems replacement approach adds to the sense for many that bridge rehabs are overly expensive.
It is the more harm than good finished product that concerns me.
Okay,Will.Being that I live near the bridge and they do publish work that is completed on bridges in the local paper i can actually look at the finished product.
George, I wasn't being quite so literal.
They have been driving this approach for six decades now, That being the case I routinely transmute the agencies name into a verb as a bit of word-play in describing the steel-stringerization of wooden bridges
Will,from what I read in the paper PennDOT is not doing the work.A contractor is so I think PennDOT is only making sure the contractor follows what was printed in the paper.
No they won't be "Saving as much of the original wood as possible" They will be PennDOT'ing it with their go-to Steel-Stringerization.
A needless sixty year failed experiment, (some bridges are now on their third set of steel decks & stringers) which is almost an absurdity. Ask a systems knowledgeable engineer to design rehab of a framed wooden floor system and you'll get a 10-ton rating, ask one who is not knowledgeable about such framing and they'll tell you it can't be done, and that a structural system which has carried traffic for a century and a half (this coming summer) needs to be replaced.
It's particularly sad in this instance being that there is a hyper-regional variation of interwoven Lower Lateral Bracing unique to Berks County and this rehab will eliminate yet one more of these rare examples from our shared Transportation Heritage.
By the way,Shirley Pisano mentioned a marriage which she thought was on this bridge.It was actually the Wertz Covered Bridge.
As per an article in today's paper where I live starting in April this bridge will be undergoing a $4 million rehabilitation which will close the bridge for 7 months ending by November of this year.After construction the weight limit will be increased from 3 tons to 20 tons.The bridge will be lifted off the abutments,taken apart,replace the bad parts and save as much original wood as possible.The rest of the pieces will be fabricated to retain the original look.The abutments will also be replaced.The rehabilitation will include parts or members of the bridges wood truss,its roof and siding.The existing wooden floor beams on the deck will be removed.Steel girders will be placed inside the bridge floor and a new timber deck will be placed on top of that.These steel girders will be hidden inside the structure and not seen when looking at the bridge.This rehabilitation will extend the life of the bridge.
You're obviously talking about a different bridge considering these photos are only a couple months old.
This truss bridge was damaged in a flood and replaced with a concrete span a few years ago. It no longer exists.
There looks to be pilings from another bridge upriver to the right of this bridge. Anyone know anything about that?
Thanks,Clark.Always good to know where information might be.
The Bethlehem Steel archives are in Delaware at the Hagley. There may be information there about the C&BL including contract info on the bridges. It's possible there is a plate to be viewed but if it's easy to get to it may have been "collected".
Thanks,Daniel.Alot of help was given identifying the bridges I asked about.
I guess the only way to find out who built the bridges is to look for any manufacturers stamps in the metal or a plaque,Clark.Wouldn't that be the right thing to do if you're not tresspassing?
Thanks,Dana and Kay.Looks like a spur that dead ends at the quarry or whatever business that is.
George, https://bridgehunter.com/pa/cambria/bh83902/ I believe that's the truss you speak of and https://bridgehunter.com/pa/cambria/bh83903/ is the deck truss.
I haven't found a great way to search by location here. There is a way, though: go to "add bridge", go to the location, click "go", and on the right a list of what's there will show up: county, state, road, river, railroad, and bridges (both in the BH and NBI databases).
I wish there was a search by location option in the general search menu, but if there is I haven't been able to find it.
The 1904 and 1907 Johnstown 15' shows no RR and notes the Old Portage Tunnel with an abandoned grade. In 1964 the railroad is the C&BL crossing the river to a series of loops and spurs and a "Slag Dump".
These bridges were probably built for Bethlehem Steel ca. 1924.
Welcome George, Kudos to Josh for field visit and Clark for RR!
Dana and Kay,thanks for posting this bridge on Bridgehunters.From what it looks like,this bridge along with the truss bridge were part of a quarry of some sort that looks abandoned.Shouldn't be hard finding information on which railroad abandoned this bridge or if they're privately owned.
Nice find George, Maybe a spur or Branch? Not sure.
While looking at satellite view of the tunnel I noticed A truss and I think a deck truss bridge crossing railroad tracks and the Conemaugh river west of the tunnel opening.They both are railroad bridges and I don't think they're on Bridgehunters.
If you are in Western Pennsylvania and you want to participate in saving a bridge, this is a good one.
Thanks,Dana and Kay.Being that my dad was from Philly got me very interested in the old Conrail and Reading railroad row's along with tracks and bridges.That's why i looked at the other bridges.
George Old Abutments toward Dunkin Donuts from here. Added a Street view.
Good Eye Geoerge. Didn't add the siding as not sure its not part of other bridge. Can see it in Street view.
Dana and Kay,if you follow this abandoned right of way south I found 3 girder bridges between Erie Ave and Venango Street.The first girder bridge seems to be used by the hospital for parking on the old right of way.The 2nd bridge is used by Amtrak or Septa.The 3rd bridge looks like It's used as a siding for some buildings at B street and Venango Street.Are these bridges on Bridgehunters because I didn't see them.
Mark,thanks for the directions.I look forward to exploring around all of the bridges we were talking about.
George, From Pottstown take a right at Cutillos (S Sanatoga Road). Continue until you reach Linfield road. Take a right! (Trap Rock Quarry) Park adjacent to the quarry and walk approximately 75 yards along the closed portion of Linfield road. Walk beneath Baby Peacocks Bridge (Sanatoge Creek Bridge) and follow the narrow Linfield Rd to the Bridge piers! (Approximately 50 yards) While viewing Luke's photograph, the Limerick Cooling towers extend skyward behind the two trees in the upper left corner. If you look closely, the concrete abutment Wings of the Sanatoga Creek Bridge are noticeable adjacent to the RDG rails! Bring mud boots!!
I kinda like the Yellow Gold with the Black railing.
Good evening George, The bridge piers are the ruins of a three span through truss road bridge crossing the Schuykill River. This through truss road bridge was constructed in 1905. After crossing the truss bridge the road passes beneath the Sanatoga Creek Bridge (Baby Peacock Bridge)and becomes Linfield Road at Trap Rock Quarry. I attempted to send you a picture of the road bridge crossing the Schuykill River. However, my attempt failed and I subsequently, sent the picture to your email address. The photograph was taken after the RDG expanded to a four track main at this location. If you check below, Luke posted a picture of the through truss bridge positioned on the aforementioned piers!!
looks like a nice save. Guess as long as its painted Gold is as good a color as any!
Mark,the piers I was talking about are the ones in the Schuylkill River.The pierced spandrels i have seen in pictures of the Peacock Bridge which also crosses the Schuylkill River in Berks County which is used by the RBMN Railroad.
Sorry George..... Pierced Spandrels!!
Thanks,Mark.Great information.When in the area since I live in Reading i'll take a look at the piers and whatever else might be noticeable.
The bridge piers are the ruins of a former through truss road bridge constructed in 1905. After crossing the Schuylkill River the road extended beneath the former Reading Railroad Sanatoga Creek Bridge and becomes Linfield Road adjacent to Trap Rock Quarry. The RDG railroad bridge was originally a two track main line. Subsequently, the railroad expanded the bridge to a four track main. The original bridge was constructed of stone with two arches, (one spanning the road and the other Sanatoga Creek) one full spandrel and two 1/2 spandrels. The spandrels function to lighten the weight on the bridge piers. When the RDG expanded the bridge, formed concrete was poured; hence the two different facades. I have a picture of the former three,truss road bridge, but can't attach the file!
I forgot to ask,when was this bridge built?
Dana and Kay,you're very welcome.As I said in the article i posted stupid moves like what these people did can kill you.I look forward to finding bridges where I live in southeastern Pa being that I'm familiar with the Philadelphia area and know of many bridges which aren't on this site.I promise no newer concrete eyesores will be posted by me.I like historic bridges,not pre-cast pieces of crap.
Like that 58th street view , add to BO
George Good eye!
Alexander,this bridge is also posted under the B & O-Amtrak Overpass entry because I mentioned how people were crossing over empty flatbed rail cars on 58th street.I thought it looked familiar.Actually both of these entries can be combined if you think about it.
Peevy Road reopened after rehab and a new deck:
https://netcomposites.com/news/2018/november/20/historic-us-...
Thank you Nathan as always for sharing.
From the Historic Bridge Inventory:
The single span, 50'-long encased steel stringer bridge, built in 1931, is supported on concrete abutments with stone wingwalls. It has standard concrete balustrades which have been partially repaired and filled on each side of the concrete deck. Concrete encasement was favored in the state because it provided protection for the steel and eliminated the need to periodically paint the beams. A representative example of one of the most common, mid-20th century bridge types and designs in the state, it has no innovative or distinguishing details.
Luke,this is the bridge that i saw the piers in the Schuylkill river and didn't know this bridge existed.Where did the road start from the bridge on the Pottstown side?
Since I live in Reading Pa which isn't far away from this bridge I could take a look under this bridge being that I've seen these kind of bridges before.From also working with concrete that's also a plus.I'll let you all know when I will be down in the area besides fishing this gives me a perfect excuse to look at bridges.
Great photo!
This bridge is in service on the Norfolk Southern Koppel Secondary track.
Maybe a concrete encased Stringer?
When I was on satellite looking at this bridge I noticed 2 piers in the Schuylkill River by this bridge.Does anybody know anything about these piers?
This bridge is currently closed to traffic.A Washington Township bridge built in 1896 was closed Monday, July 31,2017 for emergency repairs.
The Hull Drive Bridge, which passes over Bermudian Creek, is one of the oldest bridges in the county and was originally built for horse-and-buggy travel, according to C.S. Davidson senior project manager Steve Malesker.
It is a truss bridge, which means its load-bearing superstructure is composed of connected elements — called chords, verticals or diagonals — that typically form triangular units.
During an inspection July 31, C.S. Davidson employees found one diagonal broken and another severely fractured, putting the bridge at risk of collapse, Malesker said.The bridge is posted to hold up to 10 tons at a time, and inspectors suspected overweight vehicles might have been using the bridge because four other bridges in the township are also closed, This bridge is scheduled for historic repair in 2019.
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2017/08/03/his...
Just wanted to mention that I saw this bridge after watching an article that was broadcast on channel 6 news out of Philadelphia.The article was on the 58th and Wyomissing avenue crossing.That's how I saw this bridge when I was on street view and I expanded the view on the map.Anyway,a CXS train was stopped at the crossing I mentioned.Don't know why it was stopped but it's what happened while the train was stopped that really irritated me.They showed on video that was shot from someone's phone people climbing over the cars carrying trailers,not containers to get from one side to the other.I've done that but only when the cars are parked.Now,what really got me mad was seeing a mother handing her baby with her stroller over the cars of the train.It is illegal but not worth a life to be lost due to an irresponsible mom,right?By the way,CXS was informed of this.
Thanks,luke.I thought that was the bridge but wasn't sure.
Article with historic picture featuring a plaque: http://www.buckslocalnews.com/yardley_news/sixty-years-ago-t...
It's this one: https://bridgehunter.com/nj/mercer/1108151/
Art,which railroad bridge is that in Abby's pictures?I see 2 of them.
Abby,
If you'll note, your pictures look a bit different from the others. The pictures you posted are of a bridge further downstream. That said, the shots of the stone piers of the old Whipple deck truss next to concrete arches are quite good.
Sincerely,
Art S.
Luke,this bridge along with the truss bridge i reported on earlier both will be opened in 2020 as part of a trail.Just saw it on the t.v. this afternoon.
Thanks,Chet.Great information.
George--
Glad to be of some help. My interest in the gravity railroads stemmed from a friendship with the late Dr. Ed Steers of Wallenpaupack. He had quite a collection of railroad stuff.
Chet
Thanks for the history on what I was talking about,Chester.Interesting information which I am interested in.
If memory serves, this line to Honesdale was chartered in the 1880's by the Pennsylvania Coal Company as the Erie & Wyoming Valley RR. Honesdale was the transfer point for coal arriving from the Scranton area via the gravity railroads of both the Delaware & Hudson and The PCC; the D&H Canal took it from there to Rondout on the Hudson River. But the PCC felt the D&H was overcharging them on the canal trip and built the E&WV to haul their coal to Lackawaxen and the Erie RR. The line was later extended to the Scranton area and eventually taken over by the Erie.
It's an Erie line.
Don,I'm actually wondering which railroad originally owned the track from Honesdale where it begins to Lackawaxen where it connects with the rail line Luke was talking about.Also if this same railroad did end at Honesdale or continued past Honesdale.That might be a start to find that out.Then you might find bridges that nobody knows nothing about.Just a guess.
George, I believe it's originally ERIE trackage between Hawley and Lackawaxen. Not sure if the bridge Luke shared is also on the same line.
Nice bridge luke.I do alot of fishing below lake Wallenpaupack so this would be a nice drive if and when I can get to where this bridge is.
Don,I meant whoever operated the tourist line as a freight and or passenger line originally before the tourist line took over.
Don,i see what you mean about seeing the bridge from the rail line.Only problem is I couldn't get street view to see if anything is blocking the view.I have an idea about the tourist line.Find out who operated that rail line then you could put any bridges on Bridgehunters.
True that, George.
This is not a rail bridge, but the railroad tracks pass just to the west of it. Since it appears in their picture gallery, one might assume that the rail tour departing Hawley follows the Lackawaxen river to the Delaware river, and passengers can get a view of this bridge.
Don,this bridge is in no way connected to the tourist line.This bridge was a waterway which is now a road.
George;
And what a bridge!
This appears to be the bridge in the Stourbridge Lines' gallery. Maybe their rail tour out of Hawley goes down to Lackawaxen, near this bridge.
There also appears to be a rail bridge on the Wayne/Pike county line 200 yards from the Hawley Erie boarding platform, and another half a mile down the line. Those two bridges are not on Bridgehunter.
Don,i saw the bridge.Is that bridge on Bridgehunters?
Hey George;
I bet that caboose is owned by the Stourbridge Line excursion train.
They've got Santa Express rides in December. ;-)
Check out their gallery; they've restored two cabooses (cabeese?) and there's a shot of a river bridge in the gallery to keep this post from being too far off-topic.
Thanks,Art.I just wanted to mention what I saw while hunting for bridges.Seeing the caboose brought back great memories.
George,
The caboose is all you, I have too many projects! :^)
Regards,
Art S.
Art,I followed the tourist rail line out of Honesdale and found a Conrail caboose at the other Stourbridge station.I was able to use street view to see it.It looks restorable.
Luke,I'm in the dark also on the build date concerning this bridge.Outside of the newscast i also looked on the news station site and saw the year mentioned there.That's why I posted that and wondered if you knew the year.Also you mentioned another bridge besides this one.Where is that one located?
In my scant bit of Googling, I couldn't find a date for this structure aside from the article+press releases that were recently published.
I assume they've got the correct date until a field check or info find proves otherwise.
Luke,i just saw on WFMZ 69 news that this bridge will open as a trail bridge on the Schuylkill River Trail in 2020.Don't know when the work will start on converting this bridge to a trail bridge.Is 1919 the correct build date on this bridge,Luke?
Note: there were two similar bridges on Main Street. The other being over a stub in the canal between 7th and 8th. Not sure which the image is of.
I agree,Dana and Kay after seeing it mentioned on the girder bridge.
Graphic on Bridge says it was a steam line
Dana and Kay,I've seen this picture and i think i know where.I'll check on it and get back to you on this bridge.
Sure is,Dana and Kay from what I hear.I'll be doing that while checking out the bridge.
Looks like a great fishing spot also!
Dana and Kay,i used to work at Reading Tube which is called Cambridge-Lee industries on Tube Drive.These r.r. tracks run right past the plant I worked at.From what I understand tourist trains used to run on this rail line which deadends at the r.r. museum in Hamburg,Pa.Since they run tourist trains on the other rail line which runs to Jim Thorpe i don't think they use this rail line anymore but I'm not sure.I know the rail line isn't abandoned.If and when I get a chance i will look at this bridge.