Here is a 2020 photo north of the Kennerdell bridge looking south from the Allegheny river.
Yes, the builder just didn't get moved from the old page. Fixed.
Wrought Iron Bridge Co.?
Looks like all my information on this bridge is correct.
Walter Gosciminski
Owner
Caboosenut.com
That's the ugliest bridge I've seen! PennDOT does a terrible job of designing bridges.
Bridge closed in 2019. Replaced with 2 lane bridge that opened in late 2020. Attached pictures are dated 16 January 2020 and are at the very start of the demolition. I was told by the construction workers that were replacing this bridge that it was a stone dry stack bridge built in 1906.
Saw an article about the Log Cabin Restaurant which is located near this bridge.Also saw a picture of the bridge and it looks like a new height clearance sign is installed above the opening facing Rose Hill Road.While you're visiting this bridge,call ahead and stop in at the restaurant.Excellent reviews.
I'm kind of torn on this one...
There's a part of me that loves seeing this 137 year old beauty still being used, but perhaps a larger feeling that it would be nice to see it retired for pedestrian use only. I realize what an undertaking that would be to realign the route with a new bridge and the enormous funding that would be needed. Then of course ownership of the old bridge would have to be addressed as the DRJTBC likely wouldn't want to maintain it. But it sure would be nice to see all of the signing and added junk removed so that this gorgeous bridge could be fully appreciated.
I realize I'm coming into the conversation about "security" on this bridge 7-8 months late, but the guards for the Calhoun have been chasing photographers away from there for decades. When I showed up to scope out the bridge, back in March 2001, someone came out of the guardhouse to yell at me. And the year prior, the Lincoln Highway Association was doing a tour of the route through Trenton, and when some of them got off the bus to get photos of the state line sign, the guard(s) attempted to chase them off as well.
I realize I'm coming into the conversation about "security" on this bridge 7-8 months late, but the guards for the Calhoun have been chasing photographers away from there for decades. When I showed up to scope out the bridge, back in March 2001, someone came out of the guardhouse to yell at me. And the year prior, the Lincoln Highway Association was doing a tour of the route through Trenton, and when some of them got off the bus to get photos of the state line sign, the guard(s) attempted to chase them off as well.
Does anyone out there know the date when this bridge closed? I have not found anyone who actually knows. I used to drive over this bridge quite often and was surprised to learn that it is closed.
The railroad's new owners "East Broad Top Foundation" have cleared undergrowth and had the bridge inspected, plan to run trains across this bridge within two years.
their facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ebtrr
doug langdon
Thanks Geoff, its fixed now!
The later post is the correct location, I'll try to delete the first one.
Wow, it appears this extremely rare lenticular pony truss has slipped under the radar all these years!
Nice work Luke. Thank you.
Possible video here: https://youtu.be/T2-ErA8o_00
Pretty sure the netting has only been under the bridge for the past 5-7 years.
This bridge is being replaced Jan 2021. All parts are being saved.
This bridge was replaced in 2020. All parts were saved and given to Luzerne County(?) Rails to Trails.
Just showed my fiancee the picture of this aqueduct and she remembers fishing around this aqueduct.
The bridge was definitely built in 1912. The bridge here replaced the tunnel alignment, which ran into structural issues in 1910.
1912 is the build date.
Date probably imported from the NBI which shows 1812 build, 1912 rehab.
Also the trail bridge was Central Railroad CNJ; the LV bridge is still an active railroad.
Considering the first railroad in the US wasn’t even charted until 1827..I would have to agree.
I don't know who added the build date of 1812, but I'm calling BS.
1912, possibly. But 1812? Nah.
I remember crossing this bridge when living in Houtzdale,Pa back in the early 2000's.The work crew i was with was clearing brush along the banks of the creek.
Bridge Demolished and Replaced 2019/2020
James added this bridge before you made your entry.
And since James was the only one with power to do jack shit abt duplicates, the only other option is "delete your duplicate and move it to the pre-existing entry"
This is the same bridge as CSX - North Creek Road Overpass BH 61640
This bridge is now open to motorized traffic. I just drove over it tonight, December 5, 2020.
This bridge is now open to motorized traffic. I just drove over it tonight, December 5, 2020.
I have a postcard showing a 2 lane covered bridge in Mahoningtown, pa. Can anyone tell me where that bridge was specifically located?
Thank you.
John,maybe a local resident can fill in what happened to the girder bridge.Hopefully it got moved.
There in 2015, gone in 2017. It looks like the bridge to the east was there in 2015, so it didn't get moved there. Maybe the span did get moved, or maybe it was simply scrapped.
Tony,i posted the message twice thinking the first message didn't register.My bad.
Tony,that might have been the bridge i saw over Starrucca Creek when i followed the ROW east of this bridge that i saw on Google maps.
Tony,that might be the bridge i saw east of this bridge over Starrucca Creek on the ROW i followed on Google maps.
Kind of a curiousity why they would spend the money to remove the plate girder span. Is it possible they needed another structure somewhere else on the proposed trail and moved it?
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!!!!
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.