Bridge replaced in 2019.
Dana and Kay,my mistake.I had this bridge confused with a truss bridge that is in the area that is still either in use or also removed.Thanks for clearing this up.
I remember driving on Spring Garden under this overpass.Does anybody have any information on a possible rail-trail on this abandoned rai line?
George don't see truss bridge from article today
Couldn't load images but you can find them here for the lift of the trusses.
https://www.facebook.com/WattsMillBridge/videos/215584096137...
Dana and Kay,I don't remember this bridge being in bad shape when I drove over it before it was replaced.Then and again I never really noticed.
Dana and Kay,I worked at Accupac.That's where I met my sons mother.Anyway,when I worked there and travelled on route 63 it was originally Also called Mainland Road where Wampole Road originally deadended.I don't know when it was reconfigured but I know this bridge was not there before 2012.
Dana and Kay,I used to travel over this bridge going to Skippack Creek fishing along with travelling to other fishing holes.This bridge isn't getting replaced,is it?
There's and old saying about 'swords onto plowshares' or about old ships being turned into razorblades or old planes being turned into beer/soda cans. Well, this bridge actually was turned into matchsticks! It was burned - a tiny piece at a time :^)
Regards,
Art S.
BH Photo #240304 is of the parallel former CNJ RR bridge still in use by Norfolk Southern
Dana and Kay,thanks for finding this bridge.I've been in Evansburg State Park but not where this bridge is.I'll have to check on this bridge when I am in the area,maybe when fishing later this year.
George, sat view looks like replaced with a footbridge?
Dana and Kay,thanks for posting this bridge which I am very familiar with being that I lived in Lansdale and Hatfield Pa and fished the Skippack Creek.I noticed the Kratz Rd bridge over the Skippack Creek by the Skippack Golf Course was replaced.Do you or anybody know when that bridge was replaced?Me and my family and friends fished Skippack Creek above and below that bridge for trout years ago.Any information would be helpful.
In BH Photo #240184 the former LV RR bridge to the left is abandoned; former CNJ RR bridge to the right is now used by Norfolk Southern
particularly enjoyed bh photo 157147. Great composition and shows proximity to other use. Thanks for making the journey
Geoff,thanks for the pictures of this bridge.Being from Montgomery not originally and fishing the Schuylkill River above this bridge on both the river and canal brings back great memories.Also seeing the locks and the dam was worth seeing.
It's long gone, there is a new apartment complex and pedestrian bridge on the site.
In the process of being saved and relocated to a small park nearby about a football field away.
https://lebtown.com/2019/07/26/historic-inwood-bridge-off-th...
Bridge Closed. Date of closure/remediation status unknown.
Closed for replacement
No George, I cannot and do not agree.
For all the reasons I already spoke to on this DSCB thread in earlier discussion.
I've worked enough of these rehabs to know that a design team that chooses to know and understand these bridges can easily achieve a weight limit carrying capacity their clearance capacity might demand without a systems replacement that turns a though truss into a caricature of itself. A mere decoration that staddles a stringer bridge with a load rating far in excess of anything that will ever fit through it.
Such absurdities are why the new "Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Covered Bridges" were put to paper and made available for download in the cyber-sphere -
Sorry George, but the way I feel about it is once you take all of historical elements out of it just to make it traffic worthy you might as well either move it or tear it down and start new like Ohio does.
Tony and Will,I only posted what was written in the local paper.As for the rehab in my eyes what is being done to the bridge will insure that this bridge is here for as long as is possible and at least they didn't demolish the bridge and replace it with a concrete eyesore.Wouldn't you agree?
Has anyone seen a plan for the span lengths of this bridge??
$4.3 Mil for what will end up being a mostly modern "replica" of the former bridge? This is complete and utter insanity!
Will is spot on with his comments as to how PennDOT is handling this.
As per the local paper I have more information on this bridge.The total cost of the rehabilitation including design is $4.3 million.The parts of the bridge after it is disassembled will be sent to Lancaster County Timber Frames Inc.,a company that specializes in timber frames.This project began in March and is expected to be completed in the coming winter or spring.Along with the timber frame being removed,rehabilitated and re-erected the wooden decking,siding and roofing will be replaced.The existing masonry abutments will be replaced with stone-faced concrete abutments.As i mentioned in a previous article a steel beam support will be installed.This bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.Here is some information I didn't know.In 1874,the Berks County Railroad,later called the Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad was built along the eastern bank of the Maiden Creek,cutting through the Driebelbis family farm.A train depot,store,lumberyard,mill and an ice house were built near the bridge.This covered bridge is one of five in Berks County and 15th longest in the country.Also more than a half dozen members of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania,based in Manheim,Lancaster County,were in attendance.
It looks like something that goes under the bridge.You can see it in the first bridge picture above, too.
From a street view of the west end of the bridge I believe the pieces are from the Pencoyd works which appear to be in the process of disassembly.
Any time I see a heap of metal, I question it. The wife sez I got bridge-on-the-brain. Of course, she can't see a low-land stream in the middle of a wooded area and not wonder if something is hiding in it.
Mike,curiosity got the best of me.That's why I asked.
Just saw on WFMZ69 news that this bridge has been taken apart and the truss frame has been lifted off of the abutments.According to the newscast steel beams will be installed underneath the bridge for support and the trusses will be rehabbed along with the rest of the bridge.Amazing how efficiently this bridge was lifted.Happened to see this on the newscast earlier today.If I wasn't watching I probably wouldn't have seen it.Any information on the progress of the rehab I will post here when I get it.
Could it possibly be a deck truss? Prob not even bridge related
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0162034,-75.2121102,3a,75y,3... a bit closer of a look at whatever's in the parking lot.
According to an article printed in the local paper this past week the state Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to issue Norfolk Southern an emergency permit to begin working on this underpass which is being labeled a safety issue.The emergency permit could be issued by 9/3/19 with construction hopefully completed by the end of the year.DEP has agreed to allow Norfolk Southern to seek additional required permits concurrent to construction,recognizing the significant safety risks and inconveniences that township residents have suffered during the closure.
While looking at the street view on this bridge I saw what looked to me to be parts of a bridge in the adjoining parking lot and also parts of a possible bridge on a trailer.Maybe somebody can take a look and let me know if i'm right.When looking at the bridge on street view pan the view to the left and you'll see what I mean.
The bridge in the photo doesn't appear to have anything to do with this posting
Just read in todays local paper that this bridge has been replaced and is reopened.Looking at the picture in the paper this bridge looks just like the previous bridge.This bridge was completed under budget and two weeks earlier than anticipated.Spring and Lower Heidelberg townships split the $500,000 cost of replacement of this bridge which was originally built in 1901 and reconstructed in 1968.
Thanks Dana and Kay for posting this bridge.I noticed stone walls on both sides of the one side of the bridge.Don't know if they're original stone walls.On the other side of the bridge I noticed a square pattern in the railing.Never noticed that before and don't know what that's for.Maybe somebody might know.
Thanks for posting this bridge,Dana and Kay.
Thanks Dana and Kay.Me and my nephew went hunting for crawfish around this bridge when he was a teenager many years ago.Fishing stunk anyway.
In the same article I read the bridge rehabilitation involves removing the concrete deck,sidewalks and pedestrian railings in order to repair,strengthen and paint the single-span pony truss.The bridge deck,sidewalks,and abutment back walls will be replaced and the pedestrian railings will be repaired,reinforced and reinstalled.I don't remember seeing it but this bridge is posted with a 15 ton limit.
Found an article in the Perkasie News-Herald stating that this bridge closed on 8/19/19 until 10/1920.Loftus Construction Co was warded the $4,695,000 contract.Like I said earlier I am familiar with the detours being Rtes 152,309 and 563.If Alexander wouldn't have mentioned this bridge closure I wouldn't have ever found out about it so I give my thanks to Alexander.Weird thing that they mentioned was that SEPTA owns the tracks which they stopped passenger service many years ago and now it's only a freight line that deadends in Quakertown.I thought Norfolk/Southern or East Penn owns the rail tracks which would make sense.
Thanks to Alexander I looked this bridge closure up and see the bridge is being rehabbed rather than replaced which is good to know.I am originally from Quakertown and know this bridge very well.I don't see any problems with detours around this bridge being that I've driven over most of the roads around the bridge.
Open to pedestrians but must be given permission from the owner.
Thanks Dana and Kay.Looking at this bridge reminded me of a former railroad that operated in this area and Cooks Creek was mentioned in an article I read on another site.I know the Quakertown and Eastern Railroad operated in this area during the late 1800's to at least 1936 if not later before it went bankrupt and was reorganized as the Quakertown and Bethlehem Railroad which eventually ceased to exist.The reason I mention this railroad is there might be a bridge or two abandoned along the ROW.I'll let you know the results when I explore the ROW,preferably in late fall or winter when the foliage is down.
Thanks Dana and Kay for posting this bridge.I have been over this bridge years ago,not recently.Still looks to be in great shape.
Luke THANKS!
I travelled over this bridge many years ago fishing in the area,Dana and Kay.
Dana and Kay,I couldn't get this bridge on street view.I even tried from Tylersport and couldn't get to the bridge on street view.I remember this bridge and I can tell you this is one beautiful bridge from travelling over this bridge using Allentown Road to get from Lansdale to Trumbaursville and Quakertown.
Good eye George!
Dana and Kay,in was able to get street view and saw a plaque on the western side of the bridge.Maybe somebody can get a picture of the plaque.I've never been on this bridge but have travelled on Durham Road many times.
Thanks Dana and Kay for posting this bridge.Melissa posted the original bridge on this site which this one replaced and I also commented on being that I am from Quakertown Pa and am very familiar with this bridge and the area itself.I also mentioned that I will be in the area later this year and will look at this bridge along with many other bridges in the area that are not on Bridgehunter.
Melissa,i enjoyed seeing this and every bridge from around my hometown.Since I have seen this bridge this gives me ideas to hunt around the area looking for other bridges which I know are out there.I look forward to finding other bridges.Thanks again Melissa and keep up the good work!
George, you're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it !
Melissa,thanks for posting this bridge on here.I am from Quakertown and have been over this bridge more than once,not the bridge before the present one.I just can't remember if the bridge in picture #3 has been replaced being that I haven't been in the area in over 12 years.I'll be in the area probably later this year and i'll be able to report on the condition of the present bridge.Again,thanks Melissa.
T Beems fast disappearing. Ran across this one. Looks like will be gone in a week!
I love concrete balustrade
Thanks for posting this bridge,Dana and Kay.I'll post anything I hear or read on this post.Again,thanks.
According to WFMZ69 news this bridge was removed this past week.If and when anything happens with possible replacement i'll post it here.
Melissa, yes they have.
Still a deck truss. The roadway is lowered to create a railing of sorts for vehicular traffic... Something that wouldn't be needed on a rail crossing
What would you call it in that case? When I hear pony I don't think of a bridge with that much below the deck.
From July 22 to August 23 Rte 73 will be closed between Rte 222 and Park Road for repairs to this bridge as per plans from PennDOT.Work includes concrete deck repairs,concrete beam and substructure repairs,bearing repairs,joint repairs/joint sealing and scour countermeasures/channel repairs.Local access will be maintained for property owners only.This bridge which was built in 1927 has an average daily traffic volume of 6,660 vehicles.PennDOT advises drivers to expect significant delays.
Glad you were able to save it. Good luck on this endeavor!
For sale upon restoration. It has taken 3 years, the pipeline and the trains cause major expense and delays. This is a rare bridge and hopefully a need will arise for it.
Added build date based on bridge’s age at demolition. BTW, I don’t think this is a true deck truss as the trusses extend above the deck.
Just read in todays local paper that this underpass is still closed.The Pennsylvania PUC had originally given N/S Railway Co until the end of June to correct clearance issues.The PUC's Rail Safety Engineering Section has notified N/S that since the completion date has passed,N/S needs to file updated information regarding how they will proceed with the project,according to the PUC's press secretary.The Exeter township solicitor will contact the PUC to see what action can be taken to have N/S finish this project.If the railroad applies to the PUC for an extension,Exeter township can object to it which will lead to the PUC scheduling a court hearing.Hopefully N/S will finish this project and avoid any further delays.When and if I hear anything through the news media on this issue I will post the information here.
Tony,i totally agree.Makes you wonder if they got their CDL's at Wal-Mart instead of the DMV.
not in Blair County, PA
not in Blair County, PA
not in Blair County, PA
For scrapping or preservation?
An August 8th date has been put on the schedule to finally pull this bridge.
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?
I saw on WFMZ69 news on 7/8/19 that PennDOT announced that this bridge will be closed from 7/8/19 to 9/6/19 for the work that i mentioned earlier to be done to this bridge.Detours for passenger cars and trucks are posted.
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.
Location is an approximation
Wasn't that bridge something like weight limit 2 (2 1/2?) tons in its later years? (That bridge gave me the creeps, and the opaque blue-green water didn't help.)
Thanks Tony!
Although the endposts aren't vertical here, there are doubled diagonals and counters in all but the end panels.
Childs or Long pony truss is a real stretch. I have seen a few very early Pratt ponies with vertical endposts that used doubled diagonal members and counters in every panel.
No evidence that this has any correlation to Morrison or Columbia BW.
Upper cord cast iron?
Same builder?: http://bridgehunter.com/pa/franklin/paxton-run/
Interesting bridge. This strikes me as a Childs or Long truss which are normally associated with wooden covered structures. The rolled members and connections strike me as a Morrison/CBW structure. He had built wooden trusses however most known early Morrison designs involve bowstring or inverted bowstring designs.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Regards,
Art S.
Also, I have doubts about its location.
Reinforced concrete design was still developing. This might be based on the Melan system. We need to break out the giant, portable x-ray machine.
Thanks Tony ! As Always...I appreciate your help and support!
Hey Melissa... I just want you to know how much I appreciate all that you are doing!
Could you add the railroad information?
Melissa, I don't know exactly what you're wanting me to look over, but this pony looks similar to a lot of bridges I've seen in PA that cross railroad tracks.
Arched T beem. Why is arch necessary on 77 foot span?
I'm not 100% on the location...
Here is the latest update on this bridge from the local paper I read.Work on the replacement of this bridge will now last into December according to PennDOT.This project which was originally expected to be completed last fall was delayed until this spring due to an issue with the footing for one of the two bridge abutments.During spring,the footing for the bridge pier needed to be redesigned since the ground under the creek was deeper than expected,and it was estimated that would delay the project completion into early September.The new pier design has taken longer than anticipated,and the bridge is now projected to open in December.Actual underground conditions occasionally differ from what test drilling shows during the design of a bridge,as is the case with this project,PennDOT said in a release.Work began in May 2018 to replace the two-span steel stringer bridge with a two-span concrete bulb-tee beam bridge.This projects total cost is $2.5 million.This bridge was constructed in 1938 and re-constructed in 1972.It is 146 feet long and 36 feet wide.The new bridge will be 146 feet long and 37 feet wide.This section of Route 562 has an average daily traffic volume of 5,845 vehicles.Passenger and truck detours are in effect and also posted.
Read an article in the local paper that work on this bridge has been postponed until July 8th according to PennDOT.No reason was given for the postponement.
Looking for historical data for all the foot bridges in Cook Forest?
Looking for historical data for all the foot bridges in Cook Forest?
That seems to be the case, as the NRHP form for the cantilever lists Penn Bridge Co. as the builder of the smaller span, and https://books.google.com/books?id=mU5RAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA719&dq=%... states verbatim that Penn Bridge Co. built the bridge in 1914.
I wonder if this photo suggests a possible explanation for the unusual cantilever truss that replaced this bridge. I found a historical article stating that the collapse was because the new bridge was built on old piers. As this photo shows, one span was not destroyed. Perhaps the cantilever truss was a way to build a new nearby pier, reduce the piers in the river, yet also retain the one surviving brand new truss span that didn't collapse. See photo 2 here: https://bridgehunter.com/pa/bradford/athens/
That's the bridge I was talking about,Dana and Kay.I'll let you know what West Reading does repairwise with this bridge when and if I hear anything or read it in the local paper.