John,that explains why the girder bridge was removed.I followed the ROW east of this bridge and saw another bridge that crossed the Starrucca Creek.Looks like a girder bridge with another bridge that's paved next to it.I could be wrong but i'm just going by what i see on Google maps.I looked on Bridgehunter and didn't see nothing listed.
Found out why the girder span was removed. Apparently this bridge was converted to a trail this spring.
Photo is property of Metrotrails, NJNPC.
After looking at the articles of the work being done to the bridge I noticed that the dates are 1936 and 37. The bridge work may of started in 1935 but the bridge was not completed until at least 1937.
I was the mayor who brought up the idea to name the bridge Beech Creek Veterans Memorial Bridge through Representative Mike Hanna, only to catch flack from people in Blanchard. lol Since that time I’ve found newspaper articles that mentioned my grandfather as being instrumental in its construction. Had I known, I may have named it after him!
Bridge sat unused for decades until the B&PRR decided to rehabilitate the structure. This upgrade allowed them to eliminate approximately eight miles of duplicate line to and from Johnsonburg, and still allow access to the St. Mary's branch line (formerly part of the Pennsylvania RR from Sunbury to Eris).
As of more recently the entire bridge is now closed, and as of 2020 is now being re-built (no picture). It appears most of the beams are new, but I think I saw one or two that were original (mostly on the pedestrian sides).
York & Cumberland Counties have approved a motion to allow Friends of Sheepford Road Bridge until October 2022 to find a preservation option for the bridge. We are pursuing options which will allow the bridge to remain in place. This will require a new owner and major fund raising efforts. Donations can be made through the West Shore Historical Society, PO BOX 717, Camp Hill, PA 17001.
We are confident we will be successful.
Here is the correct listing for pics 1-3. Pic #1 is the same for both bridges. I will request they be moved.
And yes... It's a WIBCo span built in 1883.
Okay, the first thing I notice here is that pics 4 and 5 are of a different bridge. That being said, given the 64ft length stated in the NBI, they are likely the correct ones for this page.
Yes Art, I agree that pics 1-3 likely show a WIBCo span. A very impressive 10-panel pony the likes of which I've not seen in a pre-1900 span. We need to find the correct place for these pics... And hopefully this beauty is still extant!
Wrought Iron Bridge Co.?
Wrought Iron Bridge Co.?
Patrick,
No worries and thank you. I'll get there eventually (hopefully sooner than later).
Nathan,
I generally agree but, considering there are no headache bars and my progressively reduced expectations of drivers, unless they take down the originals and put up expendable replicas, I'd rather have big signs...
Tony,
Oh, I'm sure its a passing / fleeting thing... :^)
Regarding white paint color as a choice. White is a correct period color for iron bridges. My curiosity is whether its appearance holds up. The up-side is that as the paint fades, there is no noticeable color change. The down side is it shows dirt, moss and rust.
Regards to all,
Art S.
Art,
Sorry, I don't have any other photos from the visit the other day. I did not see any obvious issues with the road deck, but I didn't look to closely either.
The paint seems to be in great shape so far, very little rust.
This is a nice location, you should make time to see it, and Fruitville Road bridge, which is just down the road. You won't be disappointed.
Thanks.
Patrick
Covering up builder plaques with clearance signs is standard practice in Pennsylvania. It is as if they seek to hide the fact that the bridge is in fact a beautiful historic bridge.
Lol... "I happen to be a bit of a fan of CBW" would be a bit of an understatement Art!
In my opinion White is the worse color to paint an historic bridge! And whoever decided those height limit signs should be placed where they are should be shot!
Patrick,
Thank you for the pictures! I happen to be a bit of a fan of CBW. Its the closest one to me that's still standing but every time I plan on visiting it, something gets in the way.
Out of curiosity, do you have more photos of it? Also, can you give me a sense of its condition? I know it has a new composite deck but I've heard it isn't holding up as well as anticipated. I'm also wondering of your impression of the paint. Does the white still look good or does it's aging and dirt (and rust?) take away from the bridge's appearance?
Did you spot any other issues while you were there?
Regards,
Art S.
I found out from an article on Facebook that this bridge was reopened this past week after completion of a rehabilitation project.There was no mention of what work was performed on the bridge.
Geoff,thanks for posting the pictures of this bridge.My fiancee remembers this bridge being that she grew up in the Reading Area.
Here is a couple pics of the western portal of the tunnel. It is one of the more modern tunnels on this line. Sadly it is filled with about 2 feet of water at all times
*Alabama (not Georgia)
Bridge marketing was successful through PennDOT/SHPO marketing program. Was removed to be relocated to private property in Georgia.
George,
The bridge is set up for it and they have done so in the past. I'm not sure when/why its alternating vs. bi-directional. The biggest challenge with alternating is that it's a quarter mile long, including the approaches, so it takes a while to clear between a change in traffic direction.
Regards,
Art S.
Art,i see what you are talking about and alternating traffic is a great idea.Do you think it's possible they would use alternating traffic on this bridge?
George,
My point was a bit more basic. There really isn't room for two lanes. Yes, cars pass each other but most pull in their mirrors. That's why alternating traffic makes sense. With the width of lines (double, I assume...) we're down to 7 foot wide lanes.
My concern is this will force replacement.
Regards,
Art S.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/cumberland-county-deto...
Cumberland County detour starts Oct. 26 for bridge-replacement project
Updated Oct 20, 9:58 AM; Posted Oct 19, 1:36 PM
By Steve Marroni | smarroni@pennlive.com
Residents of Middlesex Township can expect a month-long detour starting next week as crews replace a bridge that has been closed for seven years.
Cumberland County officials say a new detour for the project to replace the Wolf Bridge will begin on Oct. 26.
The intersection of Wolf Bridge Road and Clemson Drive will be closed to allow for the construction of tie-ins to the new bridge. That part of the project will take three to four weeks and will take drivers on a four-mile detour on Clemson Drive, North Middlesex Road, and West Middlesex Drive.
Wolf Bridge closed in September 2013 when an annual inspection revealed extensive deterioration.
The 192-foot-long, steel-truss bridge was built in 1895 and had a 10-ton weight limit, carrying about 2,000 vehicles per day over the Conodoguinet Creek, prior to its closing.
The estimated $3 million construction cost will be entirely funded by federal funds.
County officials say it’s part of the Cumberland County Bridge Capital Improvement Plan that includes more than $30 million of bridge replacement or repair projects on all 28 county-owned bridges. The primary funding source comes from the county approved $5 per vehicle registration fee. Since 2015, the fee has generated approximately $1.1 million per year, allowing the county to address its bridge needs.
Art,that doesn't make no sense painting the steel grating on the bridge with yellow paint.From what i see it doesn't last long.What they should have done was put something like a porous material wide enough and also flat in the middle of the bridge which would show the yellow paint instead of just painting the steel grating.Also make it reflective for nighttime driving on the bridge.Just an idea which in my eyes makes sense.
Another step closer:
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/cumberland-county-deto...
Closed for one hour tomorrow night for center line painting.
Center line painting?!? Its 15 feet wide!!! The lights at each end make sense. Center lines... we'll see.
https://www.newsbreak.com/pennsylvania/washington-crossing/n...
forgot to add that this was double tracked and electrified. It's been a single track w/out the powerlines for a few decades now.
You are correct. This is a Norfolk Southern line only. It sees at least 2 freights a day (a local from Abrams to/from Coatsville) sometimes 4 if you add in the to/from run to Loparex in Malvern which happens a couple of times a week.
Nathan,I have to agree with you unless if somebody else knows something we don't know.
They look like cable brackets to me, if I am seeing the correct thing.
Does anybody know what the three hooks are for on the East side of the bridge?Never saw them on concrete bridges before.
Bridge was removed December 2018
I personally consider it 1 continuous bridge.
Should there be a separate page for the Warren Truss span that crosses the current railroad track on the north side of this bridge?
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.
That's as interesting(and forgettable) as an interstate overpass! 🤮🤮🤮
This bridge is about to be demolished and replaced with... this... thing... ladies and gentlemen may I present this year's nomination of ugliest bridge of the year: The Dooker's Hollow SLAB!!!!
The only article I could find says they are rehabilitating it.
I assume from the signage and images of construction in Google that this bridge has been demolished and replaced?
Never mind. It is.
Chris,
I split out Susan's Delaware River bridge image and added it to a newly created entry. I also split out and uploaded Susan's picture of Byram Bridge and uploaded it. Anyone know which bridge is shown in the third image? It may be Byram Bridge but I'm not yet certain.
Regards,
Art S.
No problem
Thanks, Tyler!
Google maps shows two cuts that abruptly end where the tunnel should be. If you didn’t see it it might have been filled in.
Either this tunnel no longer exists or the person that put in the coordinates made an error. The coordinates lead to nothing and there is nothing within at least 300 yards in any direction from that spot. I should have known better than to look for it when there wasn’t a photo. Won’t make that mistake again
Shadeland Avenue Bridge. Photo taken during replacement.
Way older than 1932. Was likely the previous bridge at this location.
Oh yes, there is another smaller truss bridge crossing Shamoking Creek again after this one, it's off of Snydertown Rd towards Elysburg coordinates 40.876506, -76.609412
I last saw this bridge back in 1997 and there was a Conrail stencil with a date for the last time it was painted I believe. Recall it was on the side near Snydertown road face the creek. Is it still there or did time wear it away??
Art... I agree with all your points, although I would still hold the driver accountable for spinning out on the bridge deck. A driver must always operate their vehicle safely. In Michigan for example, one must reduce speed in snowy conditions, even if that means going 30mph on the Interstate. Similarly, a one lane timber deck bridge is a cause for a driver to reduce speed. If you are going fast enough to spin out you are going TOO FAST. Period.
And the bridge was for sure built by Penn Bridge Company because it has a builder plaque on it.
Nathan,
As you make everything idiot-proof, the idiots are no longer culled from the herd early, putting non-idiot-proofed things at greater risk... :^)
Actually, I think this was a genuine accident where someone spun on the wood deck and hit the side. AKA: s..t happens. The newspaper articles show a full sized Dodge SUV with relatively minor damage.
As I see it, there were two problems:
1. It was on the replacement list, so it wasn't going to be around much longer and no real thought was given to protection of the historic bridge by the locals.
2. The guardrail was mounted in/to the truss so offered no protection to the bridge from the lateral forces of the car's impact. I believe it was you that educated me, long ago, that a simple solution existed to prevent this.
One of the sad things about the loss is the extent of the bridge's originality. It still had wooden stringers! Except for the concrete added to the abutments and the guardrail, it was in original 1885 configuration!
Regards,
Art S.
PS. Same thing happened to Van Zile Road in Indiana. Only difference was the tension members were grazed and didn't snap and the original railing failed and didn't stress the compression members. As a result the bridge remained standing and was repaired. The full sized van that caused that one had the front wheels hanging over the side. The van also looked repairable but the driver's seat probably needed to be swapped out due to the brown stains :^)
It seems like this happens with alarming frequency lately, but we have another beautiful pin-connected truss bridge destroyed by a a driver, in this case vehicle whose car "left the roadway" according to the report on September 3, 2020. Why are there so many idiot drivers in this country? Why do we even bother with drivers training and licenses? People who cannot control and safely operate their vehicles should NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE!!!!
bridge was completely replaced. As of 2020 it is very shallow and a pretty clean area
Added portal views and tried moving the portal image into the first position.
Sign transcription (above the portal, not including cast plaques):
NOTICE
Any person or persons
riding or driving faster than
a walk, or driving more than 15 head of cattle on or over this Bridge at
the same time, shall pay a fine not less than Ten Dollars nor more than Thirty Dollars according to an Act of
Assembly passed the 18th day of March, A.D..1868.
L.M. Engelman Clerk of Commissioners
Daniel Taught
Thomas JaXXdry Commissioners
Deary R. PeaXXan of Lehigh County
1865 (1863?)
The 1865 was just below the two cast plaques, which I just couldn't make out in the image. The 1865 (last digit could be a flat topped 3). So, is this the build date?
This bridge was replaced in 2018 by a new bridge. See http://parapidbridges.com/bridgeblog/constructiontobeginonca... and http://parapidbridges.com/bridgeblog/castilerunroadroute1011...
I live in Reading and have been through this underpass numerous times going to Stonecliff Park.I never noticed the holes in the stones on the arch.If you look at the underpass on street view it is noticeable.
Sidewalks being done - still well maintained and heavily used 1884 wrought iron Phoenix Column bridge!
https://www.newsbreak.com/pennsylvania/morrisville/traffic/2...
First photo is of second bridge on original piers.
Call me 6412601262
Specs are width to your needs as stringers and floorbeams were scrapped.
Bridge is in Michigan and the costs are based on a few choices.
Is the bridge available now and how much is the asking price, please let me know weight capacity and dimensions. Thanks
Read an article about this bridge in today's local paper.During the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 the previous bridge i'm assuming that was here was burned by rioters.At that time the bridge was called the Lebanon Valley Railroad Bridge which i'm also assuming was wooden due to it being burned down.It was a 5 span bridge of which 641 feet was ruined.The piers did remain standing.Original cost to build this bridge was $150,000.If anybody can add any information about this bridge or the previous bridge i would be interested in that.
Picture taken September 2020
This bridge was re-opened after a restoration to the bridge.According to the article by WFMZ69 news the floor was replaced with a metal grate floor due to the boards coming loose.Don't have any other information than what was in the article which is on Google where i read it besides seeing the article on WFMZ69 news and WABC6 philly news yesterday.
This is Parr's Mill Covered Bridge BH 30761
I read an article on Mohrsville last Tuesday in the local paper where i live in Reading and it was mentioned in the article that originally a covered bridge with a toll charged for crossing was here where the present bridge is.There was no mention of a build date on the bridge but it was swept away by a flood on Sept. 2,1850.There is also no mention of what kind of bridge replaced this covered bridge.
Read in todays paper and also saw on WFMZ69 news last night that this bridge was re-opened yesterday after a $5.5 million rehabilitation of which $1.3 million was from Berks County.There was also some history of the bridge mentioned in the newspaper article.According to Fred Moll who's written a history of this bridge mentioned in the newspaper article that this bridge was named for the Dreibelbis saw mill.Before this bridge was built wagons hauling flax and lumber to the mill had to ford Maiden Creek.Manassas Dreibilbis built a stone mill for crushing flax into linseed oil in 1850 in an enclave on the eastern side of the bridge in 1850.By 1862 during the Civil War the mill was converted to a clover mill.On Jan. 23,1869 Manassas petitioned the clerk of the quarter sessions to construct a bridge which was approved on May 26,1869.The covered bridge was built at a cost of $6,000.Six people built this bridge in six months using axes,chisels and pulleys which is amazing thinking about it.The article did not mention who is the actual builder,only about the construction of the bridge.
Just found out from a friend of mine who lived near these tunnels that there are urban legends associated with these tunnels.Something to do with ghosts and paranormal experiences linked to possible murders.There are also you-tube videos about these tunnels.
Just found out from a friend of mine who lived near these tunnels that there are urban legends associated with these tunnels.Something to do with ghosts and paranormal experiences linked to possible murders.There are also you-tube videos about these tunnels.
Columbia Bridge Works or King?
Nice pictures,Ian.Especially with the drone.I noticed pictures taken on the ROW.Is it possible to get to the bridge without too much trouble,like climbing for example?Also wondering how long the netting which is a great idea has been under the bridge over the roadway if anybody knows that.
According to WNBC channel 10 news the barges that were stuck underneath this bridge were removed late thursday morning.I-676 is still closed until more inspections are completed.The only damage noticed so far was a bent stiffener bracket which is not threatening the structural integrity.The bridge can open before this repair according to a PennDOT district executive.
I was watching the news tonight on WPVI channel 6 out of Philadelphia and saw that a barge that the Army Corps of Engineers was using to dredge portions of the Schuylkill River above the Fairmount Dam broke free during Tropical Storm Isaias on Tuesday around 5 p.m. and ended up hitting this bridge,forcing the bridge to be closed to traffic.Bridge inspectors were on the scene Wednesday to look for any damage.Only minor structural issues were discovered,and there was no damage that would compromise the structural integrity of the bridge.PennDOT said this bridge will be closed until Thursday afternoon.That's when the river level is expected to recede to the point the barge can be moved.Detours are in effect during the bridge closure.
Speaking of SCI-Retreat closing i remembered that SCI-Graterford in Graterford,Montgomery County Pa closed being that i lived in Montgomery County not far from the prison.Before the prison closed the state of Pa was thinking of selling SCI-Graterford.As far as i know since the inmates and employees were transferred to the new SCI-Phoenix which is located next door to SCI-Graterford this prison is sitting vacant and still property of the state department of corrections.SCI-Retreat,like SCI-Graterford will be hard to sell especially due to the present economy so i think it's safe to say none of the prisons mentioned here are going anywhere.If anybody hears of SCI-Retreat being sold that would be very interesting in the least.Of course,this is only my opinion.I think it's safe to say the bridge is safe for the foreseeable future.
They just rebuilt and reopened it!
Thank you for posting this. I've been researching Lancaster County's covered and open wood truss bridges. Nothing to prove it yet, but there is a strong likelihood that there was a wood truss bridge at this location prior to the Warren Truss bridge shown here. Regardless of whether the Warren Truss bridge was built between 1888 and 1901, there had to be some type of bridge before this one, as the railroad bridge to the east of Rohrerstown (PA/38-36-136x Columbia-Philadelphia Railroad Bridge near Rohrerstown) was built in 1830, and the Overhead Bridge at Mountville (PA/38-36-U07x, proven to be originally a wooden Howe Truss, replaced after 1886) was built about about 1842.
The road is old and appears on the 1824 Joshua Scott Lancaster County Map and the photo shows the Warren Truss bridge was built on stone abutments. The 1864 Lancaster County Atlas shows the crossing was on a skew even back then, as the photo shows the Warren Truss bridge on a skew, so the abutments were probably original.
There were two tracks at this location, the other track being off the picture to the right, so you only see about 1/2 of the bridge. I did a rough measurement using the Historicaerials.com scale and found it to be approx. 90ft X 20ft. All the other railroad crossings between the Harrisburg Pike and the bridge at Mountville were level with the roadway. Given the earlier date of 1830 for 136x, if there was a wood truss bridge here, it was probably either a Town Lattice or Burr, as the site is too early to have been a Howe-type Truss.
Well lets cross our fingers and hope for the facility and bridge to be reused in a new capacity.
It is a nice bridge. Right on the hwy, nature trail along the river. Even though the prison guards have eyes on you when you stop, it is a really pretty location, and good looking bridge.
That's probably a safe bet John.
Is this the same Kellogg?
The substructure of this bridge indeed dates back to Theodore Burr's 1804 structure.
Kellogg and Maurice would go on to fabricate iron railroad trusses, apparently Charles went in another direction. I do believe K&M ended up morphing into the Union Bridge Company.
I believe this was the longest remaining covered bridge in the US at the time of it's demise.
There may have been a prior covered bridge here, built in 1831.
I found this paragraph:
According to the Bicentennial Celebration publication, Historical Sites of Knowlton Township, (1976) , the covered bridge was built by the Charles, Kellogg and Maurice Company, and was finished in 1869. It was a Burr truss bridge, and was 775 feet long and 18 feet wide. The plaque on the Portland side of the bridge reads, "Site of the last of 16 covered bridges that once spanned the Delaware. Erected 1831-1869. Destroyed by flood August 19, 1955."
here: https://www.njskylands.com/tncolumbia
Any thoughts?
Art S.
Tony, It's survival is no coincidence... its not owned by PennDOT its owned by the Department of Corrections. The prison is slated to close so eventually bridge and prison are expected to go up for auction.
https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=p...
What a really cool bridge...
I'm amazed it has escaped the evil eye of PennDOT!
It definitely looks tubular, but I can't make out enough definition to say one way or another.
Oh, my second choice is Rezner, either as Ohio Bridge Co. or once acquired by WIBCo. There isn't enough crispness in the images for me to say what the arches tube profile is.
Thanks Tony!
I went down a rabbit hole that was pretty deep.
I discovered there was a bowstring here a while ago but had only one photo with part of one span showing.
Now there are just a few more.
I'm leaning toward Wrought Iron Bridge Co. but I'm not sure. What are your thoughts?
Regards,
Art S.
A $2.2 million rehabilitation project has been approved for this bridge as part of a four year traffic improvement plan by the Reading Area Transportation Study group.No date was given for when this rehabilitation will start.
Nice collection of historic photos Art!
Great idea,Tony.
We definitely need to ask a fisherman to investigate!
Tony,i showed my fiancee the pictures in the article you had listed and she doesn't remember the covered bridge that was pictured.I know from living in Quakertown my hometown that when Lake Nockamixon was built for example that there is at least one bridge if not more submerged in that lake.So anything is possible concerning submerged bridges in lakes that the Army Corps of engineers built.
...Although this might quell that notion:
https://berksnostalgia.com/before-blue-marsh/
Looks like there was another metal truss and a covered bridge as well.
George,
It is certainly a possibility that the bridge could have been left in place. I just checked Historic Aerials and the bridge was a good distance to the East of where the current bridge is located. That section is much wider, and could potentially be deeper.
Now all we need is somebody with a boat and a fish detector!
Art,my fiancee who grew up in the area and remembers this bridge told me that when the water level is low in Blue Marsh lake she could actually see the bridge in the water which means that this bridge is actually submerged according to her.This is what she told me so i'm not going to say she's wrong because i sure as hell don't need no argument from her.If there is proof of the demolition let me know so i can pass it on to her.